DOT to spearhead NorthPhil tourism fair

THE DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DOT) in the Cordillera is turning tourism into a convergence platform for human capital development.

DOT regional director Marie Venus Tan is organizing an event that will generate jobs and livelihood in the Cordillera, especially for this city’s evergrowing number of graduating students.

Dubbed 1st North Philippines (NorthPhil) Tourism Forum and Career Fair, Tan said this will boost commerce, attract foreign and local investments, and increase the region’s share in the country’s domestic and foreign visitor volume and tourism receipts.

Slated at Camp John Hay Trade and Cultural Center on October 1618, the 1st NorthPhil Forum and Career Fair is being supported by the local governments, national government agencies, and the rest of the industry, including the transport, hospitality, travel, retail and all the other allied sectors.

The event is also evolving into a rallying point for regional unity as tourism worthiness proves to be the most visible and palpable manifestation of effective governance and multisectoral cooperation.

“Aptly, the event serves as a platform for multisectoral interaction among all industry sectors — especially policy makers from both the government and the private sector — for regional tourism performance review, benchmarking of best practices, and strategic development direction,” Tan said.

The event includes trainings and presentations on current trends in tourism sustainability and technologies, new and emerging platforms of market engagement, job placements and recruitment services, and social and business

functions, among others.

Other details can be obtained from the DOT-CAR Office at the Baguio Tourism Complex, Governor Pack Road, Baguio City (Tel: 6734 4427014/ 4248667) or the Philippine Exhibits and Themeparks Corporation (Tel: 632 8329303 to 05; Fax: 632 5569793; Email: north philippines. careerfair@gmail.com).

“All in all, the event is geared at making the people of North Philippines appreciate the value of tourism in improving the quality of life in the region and how they can contribute to the sustainable development of its physical and social environment,” Tan said.

In 2016, tourism accounted for 8.6 percent of the GDP and 12.8 percent of national employment. PR