LU TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS JOIN ONLINE ENHANCED OPPORTUNITY TRAINING

By: Joy Ann L. Gurtiza, GPC-LUPTO | Date: April 14–17, 2020

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To cope with the challenges brought about by the global pandemic, COVID-19, and to facilitate transition to recovery, representatives from the La Union Provincial Tourism Office and members from the various tourism organizations in the province joined the Online Learnings conducted by the Department of Tourism (DOT) – Philippines through the Office of Industry Manpower Development (DOT Trains) on April 14 – 17, 2020 via Zoom Video Conferencing.

The program was conceptualized as an alternative to the regular training programs by DOT and to give stakeholders the opportunity to learn, stay relevant and updated even during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). It was graced by DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. During her welcome message, she mentioned that this online program is very historical since it is the first time that it ever happened in the DOT history offering stakeholders from the entire country an option to use their time productively during the ECQ.

“We can turn the temporary inactivity during lockdown into an opportunity to enhance the quality of tourist services. The DOT is developing online courses for tourism stakeholders. This is our vision in embracing a new normal for our industry,” she added.

The program covered two subject areas. The first one is Tourism Enterprise which involves monitoring, evaluating and learning from past and present situations to enable tourism stakeholders to prepare better for the future. The second subject area is Filipino Brand of Service which applies the seven Filipino Values or "7Ms" that characterize Filipino hospitality, namely May Likha, Makatao, Makakalikasan, Makabansa, Masayahin, May–Bayanihan and May–Pag–asa.

The Filipino Hospitality Founder and Chief Consultant, Mr. Martin Aguilar, facilitated the webinar entitled "Maximize: Utilizing ECQ for a Tourism Enterprise" on April 14, 16 and 17, while FBS Master Trainer, Ms. Maan Palabrica, facilitated the "FBS 7 Filipino Values during COVID-19 Crisis" on April 15 – 17.

Through the online courses, participants were able to enhance their skills. They were also expected to embrace the “new normal” and encouraged to cope, develop and move towards recovery.