New ILO initiative supports better jobs for young people in Mongolia’s hospitality sector

Ulaanbaatar (ILO News) – Building on the successful introduction of the ILO’s Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) Programme in Mongolia’s cashmere sector in 2025, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has expanded the programme to the country’s hospitality sector through the launch of SCORE HoCo (Hospitality Competitiveness Programme).

The initiative aims to strengthen productivity, service quality, human resource management and workplace cooperation in hotels and hospitality enterprises, while promoting responsible tourism, environmentally sustainable business practices, and occupational safety and health. By improving enterprise performance and working conditions simultaneously, the programme seeks to contribute to the creation of quality and sustainable employment opportunities for young people.

The expansion comes at a time when Mongolia’s tourism and hospitality industry is experiencing steady growth and increasing demand for skilled workers and quality services. Supporting enterprises to improve competitiveness while investing in their workforce is therefore critical to ensuring the sector’s long-term sustainability and attractiveness as a source of employment for young people.

A key feature of this year’s SCORE HoCo cycle is its innovative public-private partnership financing model. The programme is jointly financed by Mongolia’s Employment Promotion Fund, seven participating enterprises, and the ILO’s Youth Employment Promotion Project (YEPP), funded by the Government of the Republic of Korea.

The first cohort brings together seven hospitality enterprises: Alungoo Lodge Terelj, Terelj Hills Lodge, Terelj Mountain Lodge, MS International Hotel, New West Hotel, May Seven Hotel and Alpha Hotel.

The programme was officially launched on 15 June 2026 in Ulaanbaatar, bringing together representatives of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Protection, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth, the General Office for Labour and Welfare Services, employers’ and workers’ organizations, participating enterprises, international experts and 14 national trainers.

In his opening remarks, ILO Director for China and Mongolia, Chang-Hee Lee, highlighted the importance of strengthening workforce skills and workplace cooperation in a rapidly growing hospitality industry.

As Mongolia’s tourism and hospitality sector continues to expand, improving service quality, workforce skills and workplace cooperation becomes increasingly important. Through the SCORE HoCo Programme, enterprises will be able to enhance productivity and service standards while supporting young workers to develop their skills and access more sustainable and inclusive employment opportunities.

Changhee Lee, Director of the ILO Country Office for China and Mongolia.

SCORE HoCo is implemented by the ILO’s the Youth Employment Promotion Project (YEPP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Protection, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism and Youth, the General Office for Labour and Welfare Services, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and other partners.