The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is collaborating with the MSC Foundation to deliver a series of educational courses related to sustainable tourism on board the MSC Euribia.
The initiative follows the success of the first Global Youth Tourism Summit, held in Sorrento, Italy, in 2022, and will lead to the creation of the MSC Foundation Youth Lab, a specially equipped space on the new, state-of-the-art eco-friendly vessel. One of the main programs offered at the Youth Lab will be “GYTS for MSC: A Sustainable Future for Our Next Generations,” designed in close collaboration with the UNWTO.
The program offers 12 daily two-hour activity sessions on key topics centered on the “sustainability challenge.” The activities are designed to give young people the freedom to learn, create, and express themselves according to their interests and ideas.
“We are proud to build on the success of the Sorrento World Youth Summit on Tourism, expanding our collaboration with the UNWTO to promote youth empowerment and education for sustainability,” said MSC Foundation Executive Director Daniela Picco.
“The new MSC Foundation Lab on MSC Euribia will offer an innovative space for children and teenagers to participate in activities focused on sustainability.” Our new program is designed and conceived to empower young people to learn, create, and express themselves while addressing key sustainability issues such as marine conservation, climate change, and responsible tourism.“
Matteo Mancini, Director of Children's Entertainment at MSC Cruises, explained: “For MSC Cruises, keeping younger generations entertained on a cruise means listening to them and truly understanding their interests and desires. Last summer, during the World Youth Summit on Tourism, young people from around the world also asked us for space and time to discuss these topics on board our ships. We welcomed their request, believing it was our duty to join forces with Generation Z to create an edutainment program.”
Alessandra Priante, Director of the UNWTO Regional Department for Europe, added: “Following the immense success of our first Global Youth Tourism Summit, which brought together children from all corners of the world, we are thrilled that the GYTS is not only crossing borders, but also seas and oceans. We thank the MSC Foundation for its continued support in highlighting the central role young people can play in building sustainable tourism. We are proud to support MSC Cruises in its work to educate and empower children and young people to be more aware, engaged, and active.”
The MSC Group has committed to comprehensive action through the MSC Foundation to raise awareness of the major challenges facing humanity and to provide younger MSC Cruises passengers with tools that inform and motivate them through an understanding of its programs and initiatives in four areas of interest: Environment (including marine conservation), Education, Community Support and Emergency Relief.
