HIGHLIGHTING the Filipino hospitality and the country’s abundance of world-class tourist spots, the Department of Tourism (DOT), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Canada, granted skills development training to 26 hotels, resorts and various industry associations to step up the country’s tourism.
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, being one of the recipients, will fund a training program for their employees to improve their quality of services.
“Through the improving competitiveness in tourism program, we hope to capitalize on these assets and prove to the world that it is indeed more fun in the Philippines,” said Shigeko Hattori, director for Public Management, Financial Sector, and Trade Division in the Southeast Asia Department of ADB.
The DOT said that the program may be rolled out on a national scale should it become successful in the pilot areas, such as Cebu, Bohol, Davao and Palawan. Waterfront hotel will be at the forefront of the training program that will further enhance the region’s tourism industry.
In 2013, the Philippines advanced by five rungs in the world tourism competitiveness ratings, ranking 81st among 130 countries assessed in the World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report.
The Philippines was also listed as the Most Improved Country in the region, being the only Asean nation registering a significant improvement.