Accommodation sector told to reassess strength

CEBU, Philippines - Like all other sectors, the accommodation industry is again urged to re-evaluate its competitiveness as it is bound to face a deluge of challenges under the ASEAN Economic Community.

Hotel, Resorts, and Restaurant Association of Cebu president Cenelyn Manguilimotan reiterated her call for the accommodation industry to take a serious look on their respective competitiveness index emphasizing that high quality service is a non-negotiable strength.

Manguilimotan added that, as the regional economy commences in a few months, the sector should not let its guard down as the marketplace undergoes a transformation, including the free movement of personnel in the region.

Tourism stakeholders earlier called for an upgrade in the tourism-related educational system to improve the country’s capacity to produce globally-at-par tourism professionals.

"There is a need to review and revamp the technical working group in CHED [Commission on Higher Education]. You see, we are only producing college degree holders as housekeepers, waiters/waitresses, cashiers," said Network of Independent Travel Agencies president Robert Lim Joseph.

Joseph said the current curriculum followed by tourism schools is no longer applicable to the needs of the industry, and the anticipated free-flow of professionals in the ASEAN region will further threaten the employment opportunities of most Filipinos. 

Joseph suggested that CHED should come up with standard curriculum for all tourism related courses like the Hotel, Restaurant Management, B.S. Tourism, among others to involve the private stakeholders to teach students, rather than depend mainly on the theories taught by non-tourism-practicing teachers.

Joseph said the Philippines is sending tourism professionals to be bartenders, kitchen helpers, food attendants abroad. Some graduates here end up working in call centers because of they lack the capability needed in the tourism industry.

In a separate interview, business leader and tourism player Samuel Lim echoed the same sentiment stressing that if the Philippines wants to take the lead in the region’s tourism sector, it has to improve its educational support system. "There is truly a big mismatch here."

HRRAC past president Hans Hauri also called the attention of the Philippine government to take an active stance in preparing for the ASEAN integration, particularly in the free-flow of manpower movement in the tourism industry within the region

Hauri expressed apprehensions that if not given utmost attention, the country’s tourism sector may be affected by the integration, as fast turnover of manpower in the tourism industry is expected, and this may cripple the growing tourism industry in the country.

According to Manguilimotan, although the integration may bring in opportunities, challenges are likewise expected especially when it comes to skilled labor retention and movement. That is why players are encouraged to come up with programs that will address this concern. (FREEMAN)