Funded through Women in Travel’s employability programme, the scheme sees participants given access to upskilling, mentoring and development tools, and introductions to potential employers.

The partnership also includes Google’s involvement in Women in Travel’s male allyship programme and its hosting of the annual International Women in Travel and Tourism Forum.

Since launching in 2017, Women in Travel has helped more than 150 women with over 1,200 hours of support through its employability programme and successfully placed a number of its beneficiaries in travel, aviation and hospitality sector roles.

Alessandra Alonso, founder and managing director of Women in Travel, said: “We are lucky to have had a fantastic, collaborative relationship with Google since 2021 and are hugely grateful for their support and enthusiastic participation in our programmes.

“With the ongoing staffing crisis in the travel and tourism industry in the UK, this refreshed partnership could not come at a better time. We will be able to invest in the skills training, mentoring and confidence building that will help our incredibly resilient and talented women become work-ready and provide a critical solution to a number of businesses that are struggling to recruit.”

Finnbar Cornwall, travel industry leader at Google, added: “We are proud to partner with Women in Travel across a number of meaningful avenues to champion marginalised and vulnerable women, empowering them to fulfil their economic and individual potential. 

“Not just because it’s the right thing to do but because we know it is a proven model and pipeline to bring underrepresented talent to the fore, which is vital as the industry rebuilds.”