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
March –
IT’S WOMEN’S MONTH!
“Respect and support women
every day of the year/s!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week;
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and “
Made-in-the-Philippines Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
March 4: Employee Appreciation Day
March 15: World Consumer Rights Day
March 18: Global Recycling Day
March 21: International Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination
March 23: International Day for the Right to the Truth
Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations
and for the Dignity of Victims
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the
Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 27: Earth Hour
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