YCI Brazil

In 2005, six Marriott hotels located in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Costa do Sauipe championed the set up of YCI in Brazil, training 38 young people in a pilot programme. Over the following years, 14 properties of seven competing hotel companies have become involved in the 24-week programme, which typically starts in March and ends in September each year.

Currently, training is undertaken at properties operated by leading hotel companies in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, including Hyatt, InterContinental, Marriott, Orient-Express and Starwood. The Institute for the Development of Social Investment (IDIS) assists the initiative by organising the recruitment of suitable candidates, amongst other tasks.

YCI Vietnam

YCI Vietnam was launched in Hanoi in 2010. The Sheraton Hanoi Hotel welcomed nine young participants into the training programme that teaches them a wide range of work skills whilst exposing them to over 15 skill areas within the hotel operations. The participants came from three SOS Children’s Villages near Hanoi. SOS Children’s Villages provides participants with life skills training during the programme.

The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) coordinates the initiative locally. Their role involves organising the recruitment of suitable candidates, arranging extra training sessions such as computer lessons and periodically monitoring the performance of participants. The programme cycle started in July 2010 and will finish in January 2011.

YCI Mexico

In 2007 two Marriott hotels and one IHG property championed the implementation of YCI in two Mexican locations simultaneously: Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta. In 2009 Cancun became the third location in Mexico to launch YCI. By 2010, ten top properties from five leading hotel chains including Hyatt, NH Hotels and Starwood, besides the piloting hotel companies, have run YCI training programmes benefiting over 160 young participants nationwide.

The Fundación Infantia, a local non-profit organisation advocating against the sexual exploitation of children in tourism, facilitates the coordination of the initiative including garnering the support of other relevant partners from the public, private and non-profit sectors.