Secretary Frasco personally gave each attendee a goodie basket full of necessities that they might find helpful in performing their duties as tour guides, such as a lapel microphone, sunglasses, hat, and other accessories, as a token of appreciation for the dedication of the tourism frontliners.
Yesterday (May 11), to commemorate the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) 50th founding anniversary, department representatives led by Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco invited tour operators and leaders of tour operator associations to a low-key reception at the Casa Blanca in Intramuros to honour the frontline workers’ efforts to promote Philippine tourism despite the pandemic and other difficulties.
“Today, we commemorate the Department of Tourism’s 50th anniversary. And I felt that it was important to celebrate this day not only with the officials and staff of the Department of Tourism but, more importantly, with those who have been on the front lines of tourism and have taken on the responsibility of advocating for our nation, persuading our friends from all over the world to keep visiting, and who have demonstrated to us what it means to love the Philippines by their example—by your example—as Secretary Frasc said.
She said, “I could not find it in my heart to share it with anyone but our frontliners.
Speaking in front of about 50 representatives from the Federation of Professional Tour Guides Association, Inc. (TGFED), as well as organisations based in the NCR like the Accredited Tourist Guides Services Cooperatives, Inc. (ACTSCOOP), Fort Santiago Volunteer Tour Guides, Inc., GUIDES INC. (NCR Multi-Lingual Tour Guides Association), Japanese-Speaking Tour Guides Association (JASTA), Multi-Lingual Accredited Tour Guides Association of the Philippines (MULATGAP
Secretary Frasco noted that her former position had given her the opportunity to witness firsthand how the pandemic had ravaged and starved the tourist business. She added, “Therefore, it is a feeling of urgency that I would like to bring to the Department, as well as a local viewpoint. one that consistently considers the well-being, viewpoints, and issues of people who are on the frontlines and in the field. Because I sincerely think that without the ability to convert into practical execution by our tourist frontliners, none of our tourism programmes and plans can succeed.
Recall that the DOT first convened a listening session with associations of tour guides and guides in March, at which none other than Secretary Frasco emphasised the crucial part that tourism frontliners like tour guides play in the success of the Department’s initiatives, particularly in promoting the nation’s rich culture and heritage.
Secretary Frasco cited the nation’s most recent accolades from around the world as evidence that the DOT must assist those who continue to promote the Philippines, including tour guides, tour operators, travel agents, and every single part of the tourism value chain that contributes to the growth of our industry.
Secretary Frasco personally gave each attendee a goodie basket full of necessities that they might find helpful in performing their duties as tour guides, such as a lapel microphone, sunglasses, hat, and other accessories, as a token of appreciation for the dedication of the tourism frontliners.
“Every time you go out into the world and tell the narrative of the Filipino people, you aid the Filipino families who depend on the travel and tourism sector, you contribute to nation-building, and you help our nation reach its full potential. Therefore, I implore you, my dear tour guides, to keep spreading the good word about the Philippines and to keep lovingly retelling the Filipino tale.
Undersecretary Ferdinand Jumapao, DOT-NCR Regional Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin, and Intramuros Administrator Atty. Joan Padilla are also present during the lunch event with tourist leaders.
Source: traveldailynews