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The Department of Tourism (DOT) is making significant strides in enhancing the skills and capabilities of workers in the tourism sector, focusing on technology, training and transformation.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas event, DOT Cordillera Regional Director Jovita Ganongan and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) CAR Assistant Regional Director Glenn Murphy signed a Memorandum of Agreement to advance the employable skills and competency standards of workers in the region’s tourism industry.
This agreement is part of a broader national initiative to maintain international standards of excellence in tourism services and ensure a highly skilled workforce. The DOT-CAR and TESDA-CAR will align training and scholarship programmes with national competency standards, targeting various groups, including displaced or unemployed tourism workers, currently employed tourism workers in need of certification, and other qualified stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Training scholarships will cover essential areas such as housekeeping, front office operations, bread and pastry production, cookery, barista and bartending, events management, tour guiding, and foreign language courses. Currently, 493 scholars are undergoing training under this partnership.
The Philippines is embracing technology to revolutionise its tourism sector, exemplified by the recent P17 million (about US$ 335,000) smart city project delivered to Baguio City by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Led by DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., the MINERVA project leverages data science and artificial intelligence to address environmental concerns at popular tourist spots, enhancing urban planning and management.
Under the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) 100K challenge in 2023, the DOT-CAR exceeded its target by training 6,295 front-line tourism workers, aiming to set a benchmark for excellent service in the tourism and hospitality industry.
In addition to these efforts, the Tourism Industry Capacity Building Programme has launched various training initiatives. These include Festival Management for local government units, Basic Life Support for eco-tour guides and porters in Kabayan, Benguet, and training for Tourist-Oriented Police and Community Order and Peace (TOPCOP).
Furthermore, the KAPWA programme, in partnership with the National Commission on Indigenous People, focuses on assisting indigenous cultural communities in tourism development.
The Cordillera region, rich in cultural heritage and unique tourism experiences, plays a vital role in the Philippines’ tourism industry. As the industry recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, the region recorded a total of 1,685,133 tourist arrivals in 2023, a 31.15% increase from the previous year.
This growth is supported by initiatives like the Festival of Festivals in Baguio City, showcasing major festivals such as the Lapat Festival of Apayao, Panagbenga Festival of Baguio City, and Adivay Festival of Benguet.
To promote community-based tourism, the DOT-CAR launched the Search for Best Cordillera Tourism Village in 2022, recognising villages that embrace tourism for economic opportunity and sustainable development. Last year, the search garnered 20 entries, with six villages awarded as finalists.
The DOT-CAR also fosters farm and food tourism through events like the Mangan Taku Cordillera Food Fair, featuring indigenous and innovative culinary cuisine and agricultural products. Additionally, the advancement of mountain, nature, adventure, creative, and wellness tourism is supported through various events and fora.
Infrastructure development is a crucial component of the tourism industry’s growth. The DOT and Department of Public Works and Highways convergence programme has invested around P10.77 billion in constructing or improving roads leading to tourist destinations, enhancing accessibility and promoting sustainable tourism.
Director Ganongan emphasised the DOT-CAR’s commitment to sustainable development, aiming to foster an inclusive, sustainable tourism landscape that respects the region’s cultural and natural heritage. The partnership with TESDA and other stakeholders is pivotal in building a vibrant future for the Cordillera region, bringing prosperity and pride to the Filipino people, especially indigenous communities.
