Competent tour guides needed to complement tourism promotion efforts

By Provincial Media Relations Center
June 22, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Competent tour guides will complement the province’s efforts in tourism promotion as well as acquire a marketing style and strategy for the province as it continues to prime Leyte as an alternative tourist destination.

This was disclosed by Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla as one of his priority program – the Income Creating Opportunities thru Technology Project (ICOT-P) – expands its tour guiding implemented among identified schools in Leyte.

“For the tourism industry to grow, competent tour guides are needed for tourists and visitors to have a pleasant and enjoyable experience in our place, return to the area in the future and tell others about it,” Gov. Petilla said.

The governor pointed out the roles of tour guides are critical in the growth of the industry as they are the force multipliers in gaining more and more tourists to come to the area.

Through the ICOT-P program among schools, students can be taught tourism hospitality and learn how tourists are greeted and treated. As the most human aspect of tourism, hospitality relates to the ability and enthusiasm of people who deal with tourists. Hospitality in most cases involves everyone in the community.

This expansion in the ICOT-P program is also in line with the Tourism Act of 2009 which aims to develop the country as a prime tourist hub in Asia as well as a center of world congresses and conventions "by promoting sustainable tourism anchored on the country's history, culture and natural endowments, and ensuring the protection, preservation and promotion of these resources."

Local government units have been encouraged to continuously improve on the tourism chain of 5As to double tourist arrivals and increase actual tourism receipts this year.

The 5As refer to arrival (efficient services at airports and seaports as well as adequate facilities), access (roads and other basic infrastructure), accommodation (hotels and restaurants), attractions (natural and man-made like beach, mountain and golf), and activities (rest and recreation).