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PBBM To Filipinos: Be Tourism Ambassadors Through Our Hospitality

MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Urged the Filipino people to continue practicing the "Filipino hospitality" and become the country's tourism ambassadors wherever they are as part of their contributions leading towards a "Bagong Pilipinas."

"Ang Filipino hospitality ay katangian na noon pa man nang bawat Pilipino. Isabuhay pa natin ito, lalo pang paghusayan, ito ang maha-halagang sangkap sa ating biyahe tungo sa 'Bagong Pilipinas'," President Marcos said on his latest vlog.

The chief executive said Filipinos are known around the world for their hospitality, making it as one of the tourism brands that the Philippines can brag about.

He added that people's appreciation to local talents is also what makes the Philippines stand out from around the world.

"Ang Filipino hospitality na ito ay likas sa bawat isa sa atin dahil sa tahanan nagmumula ang pag-aalaga ng mga Pilipino," President Marcos said as he recalled how he is received by the world leaders during his various state visits.

He said all efforts to welcome him in his foreign trips are always "foot forward," prompting him to talk about the Filipino hospitality practices in the Palace whenever a foreign leader visits the Philippines.

President Marcos said the Philippines, just like any other countries around the world, would strategically place their flags along the streets where foreign visitors will pass, ensure the cleanliness of the streets, put up painting touchups, and play personalized music.

The President also elaborated the process of carefully preparing the meals to be served to the guests depending on their dietary requirements, their preferences and allergies while they receive gifts from local stores, paving the way for MSMEs.

Among other things, President Marcos highlights the importance of offering visitors the convenience of proximity of the place where they will temporarily stay in the Philippines to ensure that they will make it on time for their scheduled meetings.

"Imbis na maghohotel pa sila sa malayo, matatraffic, at mahihirapan sa schedule ng mga meeting, dito na lang sila sa Palasyo. Nagkataon na may mga napabayaang lumang bahay sa compound ng Malacañang at may nakita kaming isa na puwede pang i-renovate, 'yun ang aming ginawa," he said.

All of these, the President said he felt proud whenever foreign leaders ask him on what makes Filipinos graciously unique.

"Eh nakakataba ng puso 'pag narinig mo 'yun," President Marcos said. "Mahalaga na ang ating bisita ay pakiramdam naman nila ay very welcomed sila dito. Para naman maging mas matibay ang ating pagsasama, ang ating mga agreement, ang ating mga partnerships sa iba't ibang bansa," he added.

President Marcos highlighted the importance of working together, which is also for him, is reflected in the world economy.

That's why it's important for world leaders to know that they are important to Filipinos, stressed the chief executive. (PND)

Tourism Frontliners In Negros Oriental Undergo Training On Filipino Brand Of Service Excellence

VALENCIA, Negros Oriental (PIA) -- Tour guides in Valencia town had the chance to update their skills as the Department of Tourism (DOT) conducted a six-day back-to-back training on community tour guiding and Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE).

A total of 52 tour guides underwent walking tour coaching to improve their skills as the industry's frontliners.

DOT, in partnership with the Valencia municipal government, has provided training for tourism workers on tourism reception, tour guiding techniques, and effective communication skills.

The town of Valencia is a first class municipality located in the highlands of Negros Oriental that offers various tourist spots such as Mt. Talinis, waterfalls, and museums, among others. 

Part of the training is a mock tour of the geodiversity of Mt. Talinis, as hiking to the volcano is a popular adventure among visitors. 

"It is our goal to capacitate our tourism industry workers for them to be able to provide quality service leading to customer satisfaction and increase competitiveness of our industry that will subsequently lead to increase in tourism arrivals and receipts," said Cynthia Monzon of DOT-7. 

DOT also introduced the FBSE program in training to sustain excellence in hospitality and enhance the quality of tourism services.

Valencia tourism officer Des Tilos Jr. Gives the rationale of the training on Community Tour Guiding and Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) for tour guides in Valencia town. (PIA Negros Oriental/ photo from Valencia Tourism Office)

More confidence 

Maurina Buladola, secretary of the Valencia Eco Guides Association (VEGA), said the training has made her more confident as a worker in the tourism industry. 

"Daghan jud kaayo ang akong nakat-onan niining maong training. Akong na realize nga ang pagka tour guide mahimo pod diay nga profession. Mas confident na ko nga mo guide karon tungod sa bag-ong learnings na akong nakat-unan sama sa proper handling sa mga bisita. Among dakong pasalamat sa facilitators," said Buladola. 

(I have learned a lot in these training sessions. I realized that tour guiding can be a profession. I am now confident to guide because of my new learnings, like proper handling of visitors. We are grateful to all the facilitators.)

Valencia tourism officer Des Tilos, Jr., said the training is in response to the need to capacitate the tourism frontliners with the right skills and attitude to become "effective stewards of the town's tourism industry." 

"The local government of Valencia shares the same vision with that of DOT to capacitate our tourism frontliners in order to level up the kind of service we extend to our visitors," said Tilos. 

The more satisfied the tourists are, the better it will be for the local economy as more tourists will be coming into the town, he said. 

"This translates to a vibrant tourism industry that creates jobs for the locals," added Tilos. (JCT/PIA7 Negros Oriental)

Hong Kong Sees Rise In Filipino Tourists, Remains Top Destination

File photo shows bus tour in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Tourism Board / Released

MANILA, Philippines — Hong Kong remains a top outbound destination for the Philippines, according to internal data by travel agency Klook.

The special administrative region was joined by Japan, Singapore and Thailand, with local Philippine travel also strong among Klook users that it is sandwiched between Japan and Singapore.

In fact, there was a 302% growth in gross sales for Filipinos traveling to Hong Kong in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the year before within the same period.

The huge spike can be attributed to Hong Kong boosting its tourism post-pandemic when its tourism board even raffled off free flights to lucky individuals.

Given the sustained popularity of Hong Kong for traveling Filipinos, the travel agency is releasing summer exclusive products for the Philippine market.

Among these are Hong Kong Disneyland Exclusives such as an Early Park Entry Pass, with the theme park recently marking its 18th year and opening its newest attraction, The World of Frozen, last November. 

Related: Going on solo travel? International flight attendants share practical tips, hacks

Two others are a rickshaw sightseeing bus, which bears a Hong Kong Disneyland Duffy and Friends Play Days decoration, and free Adidas vouchers for select Hong Kong attractions.

Following the release of "Under Parallel Skies," starring Janella Salvador and Win Metawin, the agency also unveiled a day tour that takes tourists to several locations where the film was shot.

A tour around Lantau Island takes tourists to Tai O Village, which includes potential dolphin-watching out in the sea and a ride on the cable car connecting Tung Chung and Ngong Ping.

The latter part involves a visit to Ngong Ping Village, Po Lin Monastery and the Big Buddha, while the ride itself offers 360-degree views of the South China Sea, the Ngong Ping Plateau and the island's mountainous terrains.

The city-guided part of the tour includes visits to Little Thailand, Tin Hau Temple, the Bird Market, the Avenue of Stars, a Star Ferry ride crossign Victoria Harbor, and the Causeway Bay Sogo Crossing before capping it off with a stay at the Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung Hotel.

RELATED: Budget carrier HK Express launches Clark-Hong Kong flight

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