Philippine Daily Inquirer

Upgrading our tourist facilities

- The author is the Executive Director of Inquirer Academy. GLENN SANLUIS

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 morecompet­itive 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 in- dustry 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. INQ 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 ask@inquirerac­ademy.com, call (632) 834-1557 or 771-2715 and look for Jerald Miguel or Judy Bondoc, or visit the website at www.inquirerac­ademy.com.

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