Tourism grads need to brush up on skills and proper behavior

In order to increase the hiring rate of tourism graduates into the industry, efficient English skills, good manners and right conduct as well proper grooming are things that they should further strengthen and develop, said a tourism industry official.

“Lack of English skills, good manner and right conduct as well as proper grooming are the problems of our graduates that’s why only a few percentage of them gets hired to work for the industry,” said Robert Lim Joseph, chairman of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies-Philippines Inc. (NAITAS).

Joseph, also the chairman emeritus of the League of Tourism Students of the Philippines said that the industry actually presents a lot of career opportunities for tourism graduates but only a few are qualified to get these jobs.

He said that the academe is not to blame over this lack of skills as most colleges and universities provide students all the necessary qualifications to excel in the field but it is the culture and the wrong mindset that is holding them back.

“There has been a wrong interpretation of values and instead of people encouraging you to develop your skills, there is peer pressure. But you need to break barriers and have an open mind through education,” he advised tourism students who attended the recent 888 News Forum at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Lahug.

Joseph said that it is in this regard that the upcoming 1st League of Tourism Students of the Philippines (LTSP) Cebu Summit will be held this coming October 11 at the SM City Cebu Trade Hall.

With its theme “United Youth for Tourism: the Future of Cebu,” Joseph is hoping that potentials of tourism students who are considered as the future key players of the industry will be honed.

“This will be a wake up call from tourism students that the industry players and the academe should put their acts together to address the problems that affect the students’ employment,” said Joseph.

Maria Kristiana Trinidad, a third year tourism student from the University of San Jose-Recoletos explained that the activity is in line with their thrust to create camaraderie and unity among tourism students in the province to also strengthen their LTSP Cebu chapter.

During the summit, tourism seminars will be held with tourism educators and practitioners such as values attitude towards leadership, service quality in hospitality industry and adventure tourism: a tool for environmental conservation.– Rhia de Pablo