US Joins Mexico, Türkiye, Italy, Morocco, UK, India, Vietnam, Japan, Georgia to Advance Tourism, Careers and Community Resilience Through Hilton Global Foundation Over Five Million Dollar Funding

US has joined Mexico, Türkiye, Italy, Morocco, the UK, India, Vietnam, Japan, and Georgia in advancing tourism, careers, and community resilience because the Hilton Global Foundation has committed more than five million dollars to a wide-ranging global funding program designed to strengthen hospitality skills, support vulnerable communities, and drive sustainable tourism growth across multiple regions. Through its largest annual investment to date, the foundation is channeling funds into 18 nonprofit organizations worldwide, targeting workforce development, youth employment, food security, clean water access, and environmental sustainability, while positioning tourism as a powerful engine for economic stability, social inclusion, and long-term community resilience in both developed and emerging destinations.

This year’s grants focus on three critical pillars: opening doors to hospitality careers, strengthening community resilience, and championing environmental sustainability. From providing clean water and nutritious meals to building pathways for youth to thrive in tourism and hospitality, these programs are designed to create tangible, lasting change. Collectively, the initiatives will deliver over 170,000 learning and career opportunities, provide daily drinking water to more than 12,000 people, distribute over 400,000 meals to community members in need, and prevent nearly 350,000 pounds of carbon emissions.

United States: Building the Future of Hospitality

In the United States, Hilton Global Foundation funding is powering programs that connect communities with hospitality careers while fostering social empowerment. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) is launching a new mentoring program under its Big Futures initiative, helping youth aged 16–25 explore hospitality careers, develop vital skills, and gain access to meaningful job opportunities. This initiative ensures that the next generation is prepared to step into tourism and hospitality roles with confidence and purpose.

The International Youth Foundation (IYF) in Mexico is advancing its JuventudES 2.0 initiative, equipping 350 young people with job-readiness training, personalized guidance, and direct connections to tourism and hospitality employers. This effort not only strengthens local economies but also fosters social inclusion, reducing barriers to meaningful employment.

In Orlando, Florida, The WASH Foundation continues its Fresh Start WASH & Wellness Mobile Shower Program, delivering dignity and hygiene services to people experiencing homelessness. HGF funding guarantees that mobile showers, hygiene kits, and wellness support reach those who need them most.

Hospitality Hub in Memphis, Tennessee, is developing Hub North, a trauma-informed campus designed to help more than 100 families annually achieve stability, independence, and access to housing, employment, and essential care.

Empowered Network is expanding economic mobility for survivors of human trafficking, offering workforce development, financial planning, and prevention programs across U.S. communities.

DC Central Kitchen in Washington, D.C., will support 165 individuals experiencing homelessness, incarceration, addiction, or trauma through Culinary Job Training classes, equipping them with skills to secure stable, living-wage hospitality jobs.

National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) is piloting a hospitality employment program in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, Georgia, to create nationwide pathways for individuals with Down syndrome, proving that tourism can be inclusive, empowering, and transformative.

Asia Pacific: Skills, Sustainability, and Opportunity

In Asia Pacific, Hilton Global Foundation funding is creating a new generation of tourism and hospitality leaders while addressing environmental challenges. Planet Water Foundation is installing an AquaTower filtration system at a school, delivering clean water and hygiene education to students and surrounding communities.

In Japan, Hands On Tokyo is empowering more than 95 individuals with disabilities through volunteerism, skills training, and hands-on hospitality experiences, including food truck operations and Career Day sessions connecting participants to employers.

Ocean Purpose Project in Singapore is pioneering ocean conservation through seaweed bioremediation, plastic-to-hydrogen technology, and environmental education. HGF support will launch the Beach Hub to Clean Seas initiative, diverting 10,000 pounds of waste annually while creating over 2,500 learning and career opportunities.

In Vietnam, STREETS International is expanding access to its 14-month residential hospitality program for vulnerable youth, including those who are orphaned, trafficked, or out of school, equipping participants with culinary skills, life skills, and English language training.

Tourism & Hospitality Skills Council (THSC) in India is training 1,080 young people through certified programs, offering job placement assistance and opening doors to long-term careers in hospitality.

World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Asia Pacific is advancing food security and sustainable food systems through the Circular Food Future Global Initiative, reducing waste and promoting sustainability across tourism and hospitality markets in Southeast Asia and Latin America.

Europe, Middle East, and Africa: Food, Skills, and Empowerment

In the United Kingdom, The Felix Project is rescuing surplus food and redistributing it while offering culinary apprenticeships for youth facing barriers to employment. HGF funding will expand the Commis Chef Apprenticeship Program, delivering over 400,000 meals, preventing more than 200 tons of food waste, and strengthening local tourism and hospitality capacity.

Fondation Marocaine de l’Éducation pour l’Emploi in Morocco is launching the TALENT initiative, training 4,600 youth in digital, soft, and hospitality skills, placing 330 graduates in jobs, supporting 40 entrepreneurs, engaging youth in environmental action, and benefiting over 20,000 people.

In Kenya, Mukuru Promotion Centre (MPC) is expanding vocational training to equip youth with job-ready skills and pathways to sustainable employment, fostering economic resilience in local communities.

Italy’s PizzAut is expanding its food truck initiative and renovating housing to create sustainable employment for 30 individuals with autism, promoting independence, inclusion, and public awareness while reducing reliance on institutional care.

Finally, in Türkiye, Türkiye Down Syndrome Association (TDSD) is scaling its Supported Career Program, offering hospitality training and job placement for individuals with disabilities, promoting independence and social inclusion.

Driving Global Tourism Transformation

The Hilton Global Foundation’s $5.4 million initiative demonstrates a powerful, integrated approach to sustainable tourism, combining workforce development, social empowerment, and environmental action. By creating pathways for youth, supporting underserved populations, reducing food waste, and expanding access to clean water, these programs are redefining the role of tourism as a driver of positive change.

Communities across the United States, Mexico, Türkiye, Italy, Morocco, Kenya, UK, India, Vietnam, Singapore, Japan, and Georgia are now actively shaping the future of hospitality and tourism, demonstrating that travel can be inclusive, responsible, and transformative. Each project reflects Hilton’s vision of a global tourism ecosystem that empowers people, strengthens communities, and protects the planet.

From mentorship programs in the United States to ocean conservation in Singapore, from culinary apprenticeships in the UK to youth hospitality training in Vietnam and India, Hilton’s initiatives are proving that tourism can create measurable impact while nurturing skills, fostering independence, and advancing environmental stewardship.

By connecting over 170,000 individuals to learning and career opportunities, providing 400,000 meals, ensuring access to clean water, and reducing carbon emissions, the Hilton Global Foundation is setting a new standard for purpose-driven tourism. These programs show that hospitality is more than a service—it is a catalyst for economic, social, and environmental transformation.

The US has joined Mexico, Türkiye, Italy, Morocco, the UK, India, Vietnam, Japan, and Georgia in advancing tourism, careers, and community resilience because the Hilton Global Foundation has committed over five million dollars to its largest global funding initiative to date. The investment supports hospitality skills development, youth employment, community stability, and sustainability programs, positioning tourism as a driver of inclusive growth and long-term impact.

As Hilton expands these efforts, the foundation is shaping global tourism standards, emphasizing sustainability, inclusion, and skill-building, and demonstrating how responsible hospitality can empower communities and change lives worldwide.

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