ILOILO City – Local community events are major driving forces in stimulating the tourism industry, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6.
These events encourage tourists to visit a particular destination and experience what it has to offer. In turn, tourism contributes immensely to the development of the community.
The Department of Tourism Region VI supports several events throughout Western Visayas which attracts both local and foreign visitors, including the Mini-Paraw Regatta Race and the PANAKAYON Regional Culture and Arts Camp, where cultural presentations from different provinces of the region were showcased.
Recently, to enhance the delivery of services and strengthen the tourism industry in the region, the DOT has intensified its Tourism Industry Skills Program (TISP) through the conduct of trainings in the different provinces in Western Visayas.
The trainings conducted are in Language Training (Basic Chinese Mandarin), Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP), Kulinarya Training, Food and Beverage Service Training, Cultural Community Tour Guiding, Eco-Guiding Training, ASEAN Standard Homestay Training,ASEAN Toolbox Immersion Workshop, Tourist Reception with Guiding Techniques-Marine with WASAR and BLS, Water Safety with Customer Service Training, Tourism Innovation and Self-Reinvention Techniques Seminar, Farm Tourism Operations and Management, Festival Management Training and Product Development, Marketing, Visual Merchandising and Store Lay-outing Seminar.
These trainings will be implemented throughout the year. Participants include employees of the LGUs (local government units), private stakeholders and residents from the recipient communities.
According to Atty. Helen Catalbas, regional director of DOT-6, “The main driving force for tourism is the people themselves. Having well-trained tourism frontliners and providers in our region would definitely make tourism sustainable.”/PN
