NEW BATCH OF LU GUIDES TRAINED (The Newly-trained La Union tour guides)
By: Joy Ann L. Gurtiza, GPC-PIO | Photo By: Minoru Fujihara, PIO | Date: November 11, 2019
The Newly-trained La Union tour guides pose for a photo opportunity during the closing program of the week-long Community Guiding Seminar on November 16, 2019 at the Allysha Hall, Marand Resort and Spa, Bauang, La Union. 29 participants from various municipalities of North La Union joined the seminar-workshop and once they satisfactorily meet accreditation requirements will become Community Guides in their respective localities.
Aiming to provide basic knowledge, skills and techniques needed in tour guiding to ensure the quality of service to local and international tourists, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) through the Provincial Information Office – Tourism Operations Unit in collaboration with the Department of Tourism – Region 1 (DOT-RO1) held another Seminar-Workshop on Community Guiding on November 11 – 17, 2019 at the, Marand Resort and Spa, Bauang, La Union.
With 29 participants from various local government units of North La Union which include Tourism Officers, Tourism Attractions/Enterprises’ Owners/Managers, and other members of the community with major tourist attractions, the week-long workshop served as the 8th batch of tour guides’ training in the province. DOT-RO1 Director Martin S. Valera graced the activity.
“We are enjoined to be committed in promoting tourism in our country,” said Valera in his message, explaining further the importance of the activity for the tourism frontliners of the province in providing excellent tour guiding services to tourists.
On behalf of Provincial Information Officer Adamor L. Dagang, Administrative Officer Julius A. Manabat, presented the La Union Tourism Destinations, Attractions, and Activities and spoke on the ‘L.O.V.E. La Union Brand,’ saying, This training becomes a part of the collaborative efforts of PGLU and DOT to not only strengthen the brand of La Union, but also to inspire and challenge us to communicate it properly to our stakeholders.”
On the other hand, Trainor and DOT-accredited Senior Lecturer Dr. Reynaldo A. Jorda, started the Workshop for Guides with a presentation on Learning Outcomes from Tour Scripts to the participants.
Topics discussed included an Overview of Tour Guiding Course and Tourism Industry; Child Safe Tourism; Gender and Development, Personality Development and Communication Skills; Tourist Safety and Protection; Environmental Awareness; Sustainable Tourism and Ecotourism; Basic Life Support and First Aid; Developing Tour Guides Knowledge, Skills and Attitude; Tour Guide Commentaries; DOT Accreditation; Protocol and Social Graces; and other important things a tour guide must know. Familiarization tours, fieldwork, and researches were also part of the module. There were likewise written and oral exams for the duration of the course and assessment.
After the seminar, the tour guides will get an accreditation ID from DOT-RO1 once they satisfactorily meet the accreditation requirements as PGLU will now have strict monitoring for all tour guides in the province to have the accreditation by the department before performing their tasks. With this, PGLU expects the numbers to increase as compared to 2018.
