Upgrading our tourist facilities

The improved rating of the Philippines as a destination of choice for tourists has resulted in increased interest and investment in tourism-related facilities. We have seen an upsurge in activities and developments in tourist facilities like resorts, condominiums, condotels, health clubs and other related businesses. Established facilities are expanding and new ones are being planned.

The government, for its part, has continued to upgrade its standards and has increased the incentives to the sector to encourage more players to support the country’s tourism program. Guidelines have been developed to make the sector more competitive and ready to welcome the tourists.

The closure and upgrading of Boracay shows the government’s serious resolve to upgrade the world-renowned island to be at par with world standards. Other tourist destinations are following suit. Local governments are now more supportive of these programs and undertake their own rehabilitation. More attention is given on the ecological and environmental issues to ensure the safety of the facilities and their sustainability, as well as to support industries like food.

These developments make industry players recognize the need to get updates and upgrades on the tourism programs, the standards, regulations and incentives. These and tips on effective customer relations and front-line services will be among the topics to be discussed during the seminar on “Managing and Operating Tourism Facilities.”

Industry best practices, membership clubs, facility management, and preventive maintenance will also be tackled, as well as ecology and environmental programs that have won recognition in various award giving bodies.

Inquirer Academy, in partnership with Reap Academy, will hold a course on “Operating and Maintaining Tourism Service Facilities: Standards, regulations, requirements and best practices”.

Other courses such as “Property Management for Subdivision Projects” and “Facilities Management and Comprehensive Maintenance” will be conducted in October and November, respectively.

The Inquirer Academy is at 4168 Don Chino Roces Ave. corner Ponte St., Makati City. For more information about the workshops or if you would like to add your input on the article, you may email [email protected], call (632) 834-1557 or 771-2715 and look for Jerald Miguel or Judy Bondoc, or visit the website at www.inquireracademy.com.