Tourism industry challenged by lack of qualified employees

Tourism stakeholders underscored the need for the industry to find qualified employees amid the growing number of hotels and tourists.

In a panel discussion at the 4th Philippine Tourism Forum organized by the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), Rajah tours president Jojo Clemente said the industry continues to offer employment opportunities, driven by the creation of new hotels and as well as the growing number of tourist arrivals.

“Right now, there are still travel agencies and tour companies coming up and there is much need for manpower to fill the industry,” Clemente said.

Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort vice president for sales and marketing Margie Munsayac echoed Clemente’s sentiments, saying the industry will be producing even more jobs in the future, especially with the tourism department’s National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP).

According to the NTDP, the tourism sector is targeted to grow the tourism sector in the next five years by reaching 12 million foreign arrivals and 89.2 million domestic travelers in 2022.

This is expected to yield around 6.5 million tourism sector jobs and a 10 percent GDP contribution by the end of Duterte’s term.

Munsayac said the accommodation sector is already being challenged by the lack of qualified applicants. She said this problem is seen to get worse in the next few years.

“In the accommodation sector, the HR is already is already feeling the pinch,” Munsayac said.

“And I think we will be facing a more challenging year, when we have the last graduates this year due to k12. We will have a two year dearth of qualified employees,” she added.

While the availability of jobs is not an issue for the tourism sector, Clemente highlighted the tourism sector is faced by problems of filing up the new posts due to the lack of qualified candidates.

“There might be some disconnect in terms of the skills that are being taught vis-a-vis what is expected in the real world,” Clemente said.

Clemente said sometimes its not really the lack of skill that is creating the disconnect, but rather the attitude of candidates, especially those who are fresh out of college.

“We hire for attitude because the skills can be taught. We can always enhance what you have learned in the past. But attitude is something you cannot change,” Clemente said.