Training grants given to tourism workers

MANILA, Philippines - Twenty-six Philippine hotels, resorts and tourism industry associations have received skills development grants to upgrade the quality of services of their tourism workers.

The grants scheme program, established by the Department of Tourism, forms part of the Improving Competitiveness in Tourism project administered by the Asian Development Bank and funded by the government of Canada.  Launched in 2013, the $7.1-million technical assistance aims to support the government’s effort to achieve inclusive growth and create employment opportunities in tourism.

Chosen from the country’s main tourism destinations, the awardees are based in Bohol, Cebu, Davao and Palawan, which serve as the program’s pilot areas.

Under the program, which will run for 38 months, various accommodation enterprises submitted proposals for their skills training programs in food and beverage preparation and service, front office, personality development, housekeeping, and leisure and entertainment activities.

“We welcome this technical assistance as it complements our National Tourism Development Plan, which targets to increase tourism revenue, employment, and arrivals to aid in job creation and poverty reduction. Our collaboration with the ADB and the government of Canada proves that international institutions recognize the role of tourism as a key driver of  economic development in the country,” Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said.