THE Department of Tourism (DOT) in Western Visayas, in partnership with the Negros Occidental Tourism Division (NOTD), has conducted a two-day training on gender sensitivity for DOT-trained and accredited tour guides in the province.
The seminar, conducted in Bacolod City on November 7 and 8, is part of the continuing education program for the local tour guides. It was attended by 25 participants.
Provincial Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Cristine Mansinares said the activity underscored a more gender-responsive policy and practices to sustain a progressive tourism industry that is inclusive and resilient.
Topics during the seminar included basic gender and development (GAD) concepts, gender mainstreaming, and GAD-related laws.
The training is under the Tourism Industry Skills Program (TISP) that aims to reduce skills gap and improve service levels, standard and management, Mansinares added.
Last week, the regional line agency and NOTD also conducted the Barrier-free Tourism Seminar for tourism frontline service providers in the province.
The activity is also part of the TISP, which aims to encourage inclusivity and accessibility for persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The discussions focused on upgrading the skills of our frontliners and partners in the tourism industry by eliminating barriers that would also promote good business.