Youth and Innovation: How IYF is Transforming Tourism in Mexico and Colombia

SPANISH

In Latin America, tourism and hospitality are evolving rapidly. Mexico and Colombia welcome millions of visitors every year, and today’s travelers expect more than just a service—they seek creative, innovative experiences. Yet, many talented young people lack the tools to seize these opportunities. 

This is where IYF steps in. Through programs that develop both technical and socio-emotional skills, we connect young people with the industry and prepare them to be true innovators in tourism. At the same time, we build partnerships with public and private sectors, donors, and opinion leaders, opening paths to a fairer economic development while supporting young people to transform their futures. 

Tourism and Hospitality in Latin America: A Sector Full of Opportunities 

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, the travel and tourism sector generates more than 24 million jobs in Latin America and accounts for about 9% of total employment. In Mexico, tourism employs nearly five million people, while in Colombia, with its rich natural and cultural resources, the sector is consolidating as a competitive destination, creating opportunities for skilled and creative young professionals. 

This growth generates a demand for professionals who master digital tools, understand hospitality, and can design unique experiences while promoting sustainability in every destination. However, the digital gap remains wide, and many young people and small businesses are not adopting new technologies quickly enough. That’s why training in these skills is so valuable. 

JuventudES in Mexico: Training that Transforms Lives 

When Salomón left the Sierra Sur of Oaxaca for Mexico City, his dream of becoming a chef seemed out of reach. A young man from the town of Luis Echeverría, he grew up watching his grandmother and mother cook, developing a passion for the kitchen from an early age. Culinary schools were beyond his means, and informal kitchens offered little room to grow. “My dream seemed to crumble with a single reality check,” he recalls, after working in multiple small kitchens while finishing high school. 

Everything changed when he learned about JuventudES, a program that reaches young people who are out of school or work and recognizes their potential without judgment. Here, technical training in tourism and hospitality is combined with socio-emotional skill development through IYF’s Passport to Success® methodology. For Salomón, it was much more than a course—it was a reaffirmation of his identity. He received guidance from professional chefs who valued his talent and consistently supported him, giving him the confidence to move forward. 

Since its launch, more than 2,100 young people have participated in JuventudES, and over half have secured formal employment or returned to education. This success reflects a network of strategic partners that, together with IYF, has made the program a catalyst for inclusion and opportunity. 

“JuventudES helped me go from uncertainty to having clear goals. Thanks to the support in interviews and the motivation to keep going, I now work at Grupo Xcaret in Quintana Roo. I have a much clearer vision of my future.” 

— Betsy Flores, May 2025 graduate 

Digital Tourism in Colombia: Youth Skills Fueling Sector Innovation 

In Colombia, IYF’s Digital Tourism program takes an innovative approach, combining hospitality with sustainability and advanced technologies. Young participants learn to use tools such as: 

• Blockchain to ensure transparency in services.
• Digital Marketing to design personalized experiences.
• Artificial Intelligence to optimize routes, recommendations, and bookings. 

These tools not only boost young people’s competitiveness and the quality of the sector, but also strengthen their digital skills and help reduce the technology gap affecting them and their communities. Each project they develop has a direct impact on the industry, fosters entrepreneurship, and strengthens the local economy. Technological innovations become a strategic differentiator, showing that young people can lead the digital transformation of tourism and hospitality in the region. 

A Virtuous Circle: Investing with Purpose 

What makes these programs unique is how they connect young people with the real world. Technical training is combined with key skills such as professional ethics, leadership, and confidence, ensuring that young people can adapt and contribute to a constantly evolving sector. Each young person we support becomes a change-maker—a node in a network that multiplies impact. The result: more competitive companies, more attractive destinations, and thriving communities. 

For donors and investors, supporting these initiatives means backing sustainable and scalable solutions: investing in young talent, in fast-growing industries that need innovation, and in communities that benefit from inclusive economic development. 

In Mexico and Colombia, IYF is transforming tourism by driving innovation, sustainability, and development. Each program, each project, and each young person trained is a step toward a more competitive and equitable future for Latin America.