Tourism agency backs travel agents’ program

The Department of Tourism has committed to work closely with the Philippine Travel Agencies Association in promoting the Philippines as a prime tourist destination.

Coming from a recent meeting with Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, PTAA president Aileen Clemente said the DOT would be partnering with the organization for its Hub Hopping program, which would take its members to various tourist spots in the country.

During their visit to the tourist spots, the PTAA members would be meeting with local tourism industry stakeholders to get information on new developments and discuss issues that could be hampering tourism in their areas.

These meetings will allow PTAA members to better understand the tourist spots they will be selling to their clients.

PTAA will also bring travel and tourism industry experts to the tourist destinations they will be visiting to help equip local stakeholders with the right knowledge and skills to boost tourism in their areas.

The Hub Hopping program, which will be launched before the end of the year, will initially be brought to Aurora, Cebu and Pampanga.

“We very much appreciate the support and cooperation given by Secretary Jimenez. It ensures that our push as an association for increased tourism development in the country would have a bigger impact,” Clemente said.

PTAA also secured the DOT’s commitment to provide support for a job expo that would bring together 60 travel and tourism companies later this month to offer jobs to qualified individuals.

The project, Clemente said, aimed to help address the expanding manpower needs of the travel and tourism sector. By opening hundreds of new jobs, the industry could help arrest the brain drain that the country is now experiencing due to lack of available jobs.

Jimenez urged PTAA members to continue helping the DOT promote Philippine tourism by supporting the DOT’s initiatives and by “helping others understand the country’s tourism industry.”

The PTAA has more than 400 members nationwide.