On the heels of a successful run in 2014, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced a new batch of hotels, resorts, and various industry associations to receive skills development grants to make their services more competitive and attractive to foreign and domestic tourists.
Twenty three local tourism enterprises and industry associations are poised to benefit from the Tourism Industry Skills Grant Scheme (ISGS), which forms part of the Philippine Improving Competitiveness in Tourism (PICTourism) project being administered by the Asian Development Bank and funded by the Government of Canada. Launched in 2013, the US$7.1-million technical assistance was designed to support the Philippine government’s effort to achieve inclusive growth and create employment opportunities in tourism.
In 2014, the ISGS has extended grants to 25 tourism enterprises benefitting 5,000 industry workers. The scheme was implemented in four pilot areas; namely Bohol, Cebu, Davao, and Palawan to support employee development and business growth. Trainings ranging from Customer Care, Front Office, Housekeeping, Food and Beverage, Culinary, Food Hygiene and Safety; as well as more professionally for tour guides and chefs were implemented from July 2014 to June 2015.
Assistant Secretary Rolando Canizal, technical assistance Project Director, underscored the crucial role of Filipino tourism workers in contributing to the booming tourism industry in the Philippines. “The year 2015 is a banner year for the Philippine tourism, boosted by the campaign ‘Visit the Philippines 2015.’ With the influx of more travelers from neighboring countries for the ASEAN integration, the need for programs such as the Philippines Improving Competitiveness in Tourism becomes imperative. Investment in the development of people's skills and talents is vital to a successful business in tourism and ultimately to a more competitive tourism sector.”
In ‘up-skilling’ tourism workers, the ISGS has created serious business impact among the grantees. After completing their proposed training programs, the enterprise owners experienced noticeable growth in bookings, room occupancy, sales, and revenue. The training initiatives, according to some grantees, also led to the reduction of employee turnover and a decrease in operational expenses such as food costs.
Following the successful implementation in 2014, there was a significant increase in interest for 2015 grants program. Over 80 applications were lodged, which went through a rigorous evaluation by the Regional and National Tourism Skills Committees.
The new batch of 22 successful grantees from the pilot sites, include hotels, tourism association and non-governmental organizations. The new grantees will implement a wide range of training programs focusing both on the core hospitality skills as well as trainings related to marine safety standards for boatmen, cultural tourism programs for homestay providers, as well as specialized guiding skills to support destination development.
“Through the ISGS, we hope to capitalize on tourism establishments and workers as assets to prove to the world that it is indeed more fun in the Philippines,” Assistant Secretary Canizal said.
DOT expects that the ASEAN integration, which aims to make the Southeast Asian region a unified market, will open doors for more tourists in the country in the coming years, thereby, hastening inter-regional travel.
On the awarding event held at Fairmont Hotel last June 22, key personnel from prestigious business and groups were called to the stage and were given the certificate as grant awardees.
BOHOL
Amarela Resort Corporation
Amarela is a charming 26-room beach resort. Locally owned and operated, the resort employs 53 people.
They were awarded a grant to train 88 people from the local community and the hotel staff in:
- Food and beverage service
- Housekeeping
- Front office
- Professional cookery
Anticipated Outcomes:
- New menus created for 2015/16 resulting in an increase of 10% in food sales
- Bookings for weddings increased by 33% for first quarter 2015
- Reduction in Food Cost from 45% to 38%
Bohol Association of Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants (BAHRR)
The Bohol Association of Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants (BAHRR) has
85 members with a mission of improving the hospitality services in Bohol
and help boost tourism in the province.
The enterprises in the association employ in excess of 1,500 people.
They were awarded a grant to train 370 hotel and restaurant staff in:
- Food and beverage service
- Housekeeping
- Front office skills
- Food production and safety
- Supervisory skills
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 64 people receive formal certification in food hygiene
- Increase in operational efficiency leading to an increase in F&B Sales by 5% over 6 months
- 6% Reduction in staff turnover in operational areas due to improved supervisory skills
MetroCentre / O.G. Holdings Corporation
O. G. Holdings Corporation has three hospitality establishments where
167 people are employed in three properties, including Metro Centre Hotel and
Convention Center and Panglao Island Nature Resort & Spa.
They were awarded a grant to train 210 hotel staff in:
- Food and beverage skills
- Housekeeping
- Front office skills
- Food production and food safety
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 125 employees acquire competency for a TESDA NCII certification
- 95% compliance with Food Safety requirements according to hygiene audit
South Palms Resort Panglao
The South Palms is a 90 room beach resort catering to local and international tourists.
There are 292 people employed in full and part-time jobs.
They were awarded a grant to train 122 hotel staff in:
- International cuisine
- Asian cuisine
- Pastry and bakery
- Wines and wine service
- Serve-safe training
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 26 employees certified by Enderun institute in pastry skills
- 25 employees certified by Enderun institute in wine appreciation
- 21 employees achieve serve-safe certification
- 11 employees Food Hygiene NRA approved
- 25 employees trained and certified by Enderun institute in international cuisine
- Wine sales increased due to training; Recorded at 36% increase
The Bellevue Bohol
The Bellevue is a 158 bedroom deluxe resort on Panglao Island, Bohol
They were awarded a grant to train 70 hotel staff in:
- First aid training programs
- 5S Housekeeping training delivered to all housekeeping staff
- Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) Training
- Wine and beverage skills
Anticipated Outcomes:
- First aid training lead to 29 employees being certificated in first aid
- Certification for 35 staff in Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)
CEBU
Alpa City Suites - Cebu City
Alpa City Suites employs 73 people. The hotel has 84 bedrooms and suites.
It is located at the borders of Cebu and Mandaue cities.
They were awarded a grant to train 73 hotel hotel staff in:
- Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)
- Bartending and customer service
- Housekeeping
- Effective communication
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 10 employees certified in Bar skills TESDA NC11
- 20 employees certified in national standards for food safety
- 10 employees certified by the International School for Culinary Arts
- Increase in beverage sales by 10%
- Reduction in number of complaints to less than 5 per month
Cebu Association of Tour Operators (CATO)
The Cebu Association of Tour Operators (CATO) is an association of 37 travel agencies
accredited with the Department of Tourism.
They were awarded a grant to train 165 travel and tourism staff in:
- Service Communications for Business Success
- Management of Exhibitions, Events and Conference (MICE)
Anticipated Outcomes:
- Increase in membership of the organisation, strengthening the image and profile of the organisation
- 85 participants received certificates from the Philippines MICE Academy
- As a result of the training three of the members are now actively running meetings,
incentives and events programs
Cebu Parklane International Hotel
The Parklane has 241 bedrooms and suites. It is a city hotel catering for
both business and leisure travelers. The hotel employs 170 full-time and 119 part-time employees.
They were awarded a grant to train 165 hotel hotel staff in:
- Food safety
- Food microbiology for food service industry
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 100 employees will be Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) certified
- The hotel will receive an award from the Department of Trade and Industry
Cebu White Sands Resort and Spa
Cebu White Sands Resort and Spa is a 79 room resort development on the east coast of Mactan Island.
The resort employs 118 people.
They were awarded a grant to train 65 hotel staff in:
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)
- Customer relations skills
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 60 employees certified in Customer relations skills
- 46 employees certified in Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)
- Achieve zero incidents of foodborne illness
- Significant reduction in food wastage by 55% compared to previous period leading
to an overall reduction in food cost of 7%
Olango Island Eco-Tour Association (OIETA)
Olango Island Eco-Tour Association (OIETA) is a community organization in Olango Island, Cebu.
Their members offer eco tours showcasing the culinary and local culture of the island.
There are 47 members in the employees’ cooperative.
They were awarded a grant to train 20 island guides in:
- Food production
- Food service skills
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 20 people acquire culinary skills from the University of the Southern Philippines
- Major increase in tour guide revenues –up to 50% in early season of 2014/15
The Marco Polo Plaza Cebu
Marco Polo Plaza Hotel Cebu is a deluxe hotel and comprises 329 guest rooms and suites,
employing 326 people.
They were awarded a grant to train 123 hotel staff in:
- Food safety for all levels of employees
- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 85 employees trained and certified in food hygiene and
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, a first class graded hotel, has 565 guest rooms,
making it the largest hotel in Cebu and one of the largest hotels in the Philippines.
They were awarded a grant to train 80 hotel staff in:
- Basic Japanese language course
- Training methodologies
- Serve-safe managers training
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 25 people certified by Speedtalk in basic Japanese language
- 25 Trainers certified to Level 1 in Trainer methodology by TESDA
- 27 people certified to Level 1 national certificate in Serve-Safe
DAVAO
Aquagem Travel and Tours
Aquagem is a travel and tour operator in Davao that promotes
and arranges tours for the Island Garden City of Samal.
They were awarded a grant to train 160 tourism staff in:
- Skills and safety training for tricycle operators
- First aid and emergency response for Life Guards
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 164 drivers receive LGU certification
- 46 Life Guards receive Red Cross certificates of competency
Eden Nature Park and Resort
Situated in the outskirts of Davao City, a mountain resort 3,000 feet above sea level,
Eden Nature Park and Resort has 66 chalets and bungalows and employs 300 people.
They were awarded a grant to train 242 community members and hotel staff in:
- Front office skills
- Housekeeping
- Security training
- Food and beverage service skills
- Food safety and hygiene
- Sales and reservations training
Anticipated/Actual Outcomes:
- 242 people certified by Asia Pacific Institute
- Room occupancy increased by 12% over a period of 6 months
Grand Menseng Hotel
Grand Menseng Hotel is a city hotel with a standard grading.
It has 70 guest rooms and extensive function facilities. It is well known for its Chinese cuisine.
The hotel employs 194 staff on a full and part-time basis.
They were awarded a grant to train 166 hotel staff in:
- Classic and modern Chinese cookery
- Customer service skills
- Food and beverage training
- Housekeeping skills training
- Coaching and mentoring for supervisors and managers
- Sales excellence program
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 25 culinary staff trained and certified by SHATEC (Singapore)
- 10% Increase in staff retention due to improved supervisory skills
Guide Union for Inbound Destinations and Ecotours, Inc. (GUIDE Davao)
GUIDE Davao is an association of tour guides in Davao with 20 members. The vision of the association is to professionalize the tour guide profession and encourage other tour guides in Davao to be accredited by the Department of Tourism.
They were awarded a grant to train 35 tour guiding staff in:
- Quality communications for service excellence
- Security and safety awareness
- Practical guiding skills
- Train the trainer programme
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 35 Tour Guides receive Certification in Guiding skills
Microtel Inn Consortium
Microtel Inn Davao organized a group of medium-sized hotels in Davao to form a consortium with The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases, The Metropolis Suites Davao, The Peridot Suites, and Hotel Tropika
Davao.
Collectively, they employ 157 people.
They were awarded a grant to train 212 hotel staff in:
- Housekeeping skills
- Front office skills
- Personality development
Anticipated Outcomes:
- Conversion of inquiries to bookings rate increased from 10% to 12%
- 56 employees receive TESDA NCII certificates in front office skills
- 50 employees receive TESDA NCII certificates in housekeeping
Philippine Eagle Foundation, Inc.
The Philippine Eagle Foundation is a research and conservation organization
in Davao dedicated to the conservation of the Philippine Eagle.
They were awarded a grant to train 178 people from their organization and the local community in:
- Skills training on tour guiding
- Effective selling
- First aid and safety
- Skills training in front office
- Housekeeping skills
- Food and beverage service
- Commercial cooking
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 10% increase in bookings from travel agencies
- 50% increase in visitor satisfaction ratings
- 30% increase in income of the PEC restaurant
- 60 community volunteers and employees receive certificates from Philippine Eagle Foundation
- 30% increase in the income of communities
- A commendation and/or award from the Department of Tourism
and an international tourism organization
Samal City Resort Owners Association, Inc. (SCROA)
Samal City Resort Owners Association is an association of 26 hotel and resorts in Samal Island.
They were awarded a grant to train 375 hotel staff in:
- Front office service
- Food and beverage services
- Professional cookery
- Creativity and innovation
- Spa services
- Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) open water certification
- Boat driving skills
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 71 food and beverage employees achieved NCII and are certified from TESDA
- 80 Front Office employees achieved NCII and are certified from TESDA
- 50 Culinary staff achieved NCII and are certified from TESDA
- 15 Divers received PADI certification
The Pinnacle Hotel and Suites
The Pinnacle is a city hotel and has 214 rooms. The hotel employs 120 people.
They were awarded a grant to train 147 hotel staff in:
- Train the trainer
- Food production
- Food and beverage
- Front office
- Housekeeping
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 24 employees certified in food production NCII of TESDA
- 60 employees certified in food and beverage NCII of TESDA
- 17 employees certified in housekeeping NCII of TESDA
- 25 employees certified in front office NCII of TESDA
Villa Margarita Hotel Consortium
The Villa Margarita Hotel leads a consortium of hotels in Davao City
to implement a training program for their staff. The participating hotels are Camp Holiday,
Metropolis Suites and the Ritz Garden Hotel. Collectively, the consortium employs in excess of 200 people.
They were awarded a grant to train 200 hotel staff in:
- Kitchen operations and food cost control
- Efficiency and profitability training
- Food and beverage service
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 164 employees receive certificate of training for AR skills
- 10 Supervisors trained to national standard to deliver standard training to all new employees
- 30% increase in positive customer comments
- Reduction in employee turnover by 30%
Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao
The Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao is a 159 bedroom first class hotel catering to business and leisure travelers. The hotel has 82 employees, all of whom are full-time.
They were awarded a grant to train 175 hotel staff in:
- Hospitality skills program
- Food and beverage service skills standards, and sales techniques
- Housekeeping skills
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 60 employees received certificates in hospitality skills from Workskills Australia
- Operational standards in place for food and beverage and hospitality
- 10 Supervisors trained as Trainers to deliver in house training programs
PALAWAN
Aziza Paradise Hotel
Aziza Paradise Hotel is a newly developed, 125 room city hotel,
catering to business and leisure travellers.The hotel employs 111 people.
They were awarded a grant to train 78 hotel staff in:
- Food and beverage service
- Kitchen organization and cost management
- Front office skills
- Housekeeping
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 23 Food and Beverage/Food Production staff achieved NCII certification from TESDA
- Room occupancy rate increase by 4% over a period of 3 months following training
- 8% reduction in complaints recorded over 3 months following training
Calamianes Association of Tourism Establishment, Inc. (CATE)
The Calamianes Association of Tourism Establishments (CATE)
is an association of 126 establishments, employing in excess of 1,500 employees
engaged in tourism services in the Calamianes Islands based in Coron, Palawan.
They were awarded a grant to train 430 hotel and restaurant staff in:
- Customer Service
- Housekeeping
- Food Handling and Sanitation
Anticipated Outcomes:
- 42 staff achieve an acclaimed certification for superior customer service
- 51 staff achieve formal certification in Food Handling and Food Safety
- 22 staff achieve NCII Housekeeping Certification from TESDA
Puerto Princesa Tour Guide
Association Inc (PPTGA)
The Puerto Princesa Tour Guide Association, Inc. (PPTGA) is an organization of tour guides
in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The association represents some 200 guides from various
areas in the Palawan Islands.
They were awarded a grant to train 150 tour guiding staff in:
- Korean language and culture
- Chinese (Mandarin) language and culture
- Japanese (Nihongo) language and culture
Anticipated Outcomes:
- TESDA NCII certification for 150 Guides in languages including Korean, Mandarin and Japanese
- Increase in bookings of specialized tour guides by 7%
Combined Total Grants: $821,758
Estimated total number of workers trained: 4,130
Average cost: $199
More Photos to be posted soon...
More Photos to be posted soon...
very nice article
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