Massiah observes World Tourism Day with call for collective approach to industry problems like sexual harassment

Senator David Massiah, the general secretary of the Antigua and
Barbuda Workers’ Union, is calling for stakeholders to work
together to tackle several issues plaguing the tourism sector –
including sexual harassment and human trafficking.
 
His call follows the country’s observation of World Tourism Day on
Wednesday, September 27.
 
Massiah, who also serves as chairman of the International Transport
Workers’ Federation Tourism Services, says that governments,
industry partners, and unions can achieve much more if they work
together to tackle the big problems facing the industry.
 

He says that stakeholders must also encourage more women and
young persons to make the industry a career of choice, thus ending
the cycle of companies investing in training only to have the
workers leave.
 
“Ensuring tourism jobs are good jobs will secure a bright future,” he
says.
 
Massiah also touches on green investment, which, he notes, is
important for the industry in the long term.
 
Meanwhile, the Union executive says that tourism has a huge impact
on the global economy, accounting for 10 percent of global GDP and
an estimated 320 million-plus jobs.
 
Accordingly, he says that everything should be done to ensure these
workers are protected and operate within a safe space.