Photos: DOT Facebook Page
DOT Chief Recognizes Cebu’s Tour Guides in a Meet and Greet Event | At the Marco Polo Hotel in Cebu recently, Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco of the Department of Tourism (DOT) held a special meet and greet with Cebu’s tour guides. The purpose of the event was to recognize the enormous contribution that tour guides have made to the success of the tourism industry over the last year. This was posted on the DOT Facebook Page.
Participants in the event included seventy-two local tour guides, considered to be the frontline workers in Cebu’s tourism industry. With a heartfelt thank you, Secretary Frasco conveyed her gratitude to these individuals, highlighting the contribution they made to the Department of Tourism’s success in exceeding its visitor arrival targets in 2023 with 5.45 million arrivals. This success is a reflection of the healthy growth and attraction of tourism in the Philippines, which can be ascribed largely to the passion and hospitality of these local experts.
In her speech, the Tourism Chief said, “Thank you for accepting our invitation to get together this afternoon for a few moments allowing me to personally extend my gratitude to all of you — our tour guides — the very reason tourists that come into our country specifically here in Cebu, not only to enjoy their stay, but keep coming back again and again.”
Secretary Frasco gave each tour guide a Tour Guide Kit that was specifically made for them as a way of expressing his gratitude for the tireless effort and dedication they have provided. These kits, which include useful goods such as a little portable speaker, a fashionable fedora hat, sunscreen, a tumbler, a travel diary, and eco-friendly bamboo shades, are a representation of the government’s acknowledgment of the hard work that they have put in and the significant role that they play in promoting tourism.
“We express our gratitude to Secretary Frasco for the thoughtful gesture of providing each tour guide with the tourism kit. There is a significant difference between the two types of people. This seemingly small invaluable tool holds great significance for us in guiding our visitors. It ensures clear communication allowing us to convey information seamlessly, enhancing the overall experience of our guests. It provides a professional touch that resonates with the highest standards set by the Department of Tourism,” said Maria Lorena Guba, a tour guide who benefitted from the project.
The event brought attention to the joint effort that is required to maintain and expand the tourism sector. Particular attention was paid to the significant role of tour guides in marketing and showcasing the finest of Cebu and the Philippines to tourists worldwide. Through its initiative known as the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) program, the Department of Tourism (DOT) intends to have 150,000 tourist workers trained this year.
One of the flagship training programs of the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Filipino Business and Service Excellence (FBSE) program is designed to give all front-line employees in the tourism and hospitality industry a standard for providing exceptional service to our tourists in the Filipino way. A total of more than 124,000 beneficiaries received training from the program in the previous year, surpassing the intended objective of 100,000.
Sec. Frasco added, “One of the most reliable pillars of the Philippine economy is tourism. Every time I come to Cebu, I am reminded of the burning hope and optimism that there is for the Philippine tourism industry, and chiefly responsible for that is all of you, tirelessly championing Philippine tourism, supporting the work of government and the private sector.”
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