The International Labour Organization (ILO) expects the travel and tourism industry to create 296 million jobs by 2019, which is definitely good news for the Philippines because the country intends to double last year’s tourist arrivals from three million to six million in 2016.
An ILO report has urged governments to invest in the travel and tourism industry to address poverty and unemployment because the industry will soon make up more than a third of the total global services trade. It said tourism contributed at least 9 percent of total GDP and provided more than 235 million jobs in 2010, representing 8 percent of global employment.
Here in the Philippines the Department of Tourism (DOT) has lined up several investments, including the establishment of international airports and seaports as well as building infrastructures such as resorts and hotels.
Wolfgang Weinz, ILO senior technical specialist for the hotels, catering, tourism sector said the industry must address the growing significance of technology as well as customers who have become more demanding, specifically by upgrading of education and vocational training to make their operations effective.
“Its [tourism and travel industry] workers tend to have limited professional qualifications, and a need for enhanced training and education, including health-related issues, has become visible,” said Weinz.
He pointed out that the competitiveness and productivity of tourism workers depend on their skill levels, professionalism, commitment, passion, and loyalty.
The ILO report said that the Americas suffered a 1.7 percent decrease in employment, but employment in the Asia-Pacific region gained 4.6 per cent.
“Today we have a shortage of qualified employees. Hotels need to train their employees. It is the only way to improve the quality,” said Ghassan Aidi, President of the International Hotel and Restaurant Association.
He explained that the tourism industry should hire talented workers and enhance their soft skills, such as languages, communication skills, courtesy, discipline, conscientiousness, self confidence, adaptability, creativity and punctuality. — MRT/VS, GMA News
July 2025
Nutrition Month
“Give us much more than P50 increase
for proper nutrition!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry recommendations
against serious violations of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association protocols.
Accept National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands #Distancing #TakePicturesVideosturesVideos
July
3 July – International Day of Cooperatives
3 July – International Plastic Bag Free Day
5 July – World Youth Skills Day
7 July – Global Forgiveness Day
11 July – World Population Day
17 July – World Day for International Justice
28 July – World Nature Conservation Day
30 July – World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Monthly Observances:
Schools Safety Month
Nutrition Month
National Disaster Consciousness Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 2: Cultural Communities Week
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise
Development Week
Week 3: National Science and
Technology Week
National Disability Prevention and
Rehabilitation Week
July 1-7:
National Culture Consciousness Week
July 13-19:
Philippines Business Week
Week ending last Saturday of July:
Arbor Week
Daily Observances:
First Saturday of July:
International Cooperative Day
in the Philippines
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