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
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
“Safety and health at work every day!”
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 #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
March – Women’s Role in History Month
April – Month of Planet Earth
Weekly Observances:
Last Week of March: Protection and Gender Fair Treatment of the Girl Child Week
Last Week of April – World Immunization Week
Daily Observances:
Mar 25 – International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transallantic Slave Trade
Mar 27– Earth Hour
Apr 21 – Civil Service Day
Apr 22 – World Earth Day
Apr 28 – World Day for Safety and Health at Work
