BACOLOD City – The Negros Occidental Tourism Division conducted a training on tour guiding to boost the tourism industry in the province.
Twenty-seven trainees learned tour guiding skills during the seminar held at the Negros First Negosyo Center in Bacolod City on Sunday, said Provincial Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Cristine Mansinares.
Currently, there are only seven Department of Tourism (DOT)-accredited tour guides in the provinc, Mansinares noted.
“Given a few number of accredited tour guides, we are having difficulty especially in times of big events like meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions,” she said.
She added: “Through this training course, we hope to encourage the participants to apply for DOT accreditation after they graduate. They will become our back-up manpower during big conventions.”
Mansinares also stressed that tour guides, as front line service providers, “play a significant role in ensuring tourist’s satisfaction.”
She added that the tour guides will serve as “information officers” who will help tourists understand the culture of the province.
The 23-day training will be conducted every weekend until June 2.
Aside from lectures, there will also be written and oral assessments, familiarization tours, field work, and researches. (With PNA/PN)
