Canada, ADB, DOT boost PH tourism through training grants

Boracay Island (Photo courtesy of the Department of Tourism)

MANILA – The Canadian government, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) aimed to boost the country’s tourism by giving training grants to 22 hotels, resorts and travel groups.

A previous $1.7-million skills program had already benefitted 25 awardees with over 4,000 workers in Bohol, Cebu, Davao and Palawan’s local tourism industry.

They were trained from July last year until June this year and were taught how to increase bookings, maximize room occupancy, have better customer care, improve housekeeping, and cut operational costs, among others,  to augment revenues.

“Investment in the development of people’s skills and talents is vital to a successful business in tourism and ultimately to a more competitive tourism sector,” Tourism Assistant Secretary and technical assistance project director Rolando Canizal. Said.

The new Tourism Industry Skills Grants Scheme (ISGS), which is one of ADB’s tourism projects and funded by the Canadian government, has 22 grantees which were rigorously deliberated.

The ISGS aimed to expand employment opportunities and hone the skills of industry workers, sustaining the country’s gains in the tourism sector.

The second training grant will then train industry workers to hone hospitality skills, know marine safety standards and improve tour guiding skills.

“Competitiveness is not about how many skills you have. Competitiveness is an attitude because you think and believe that what you do is important,” Tourism secretary Ramon Jimenez said in a message.

With the Philippines ranking 74th among 140 countries in the global position on tourism, the ISGS aimed to boost the country’s competitiveness even more.