Tourism front liners deployed for Caraga region as part of the DOT-13’s efforts to revive Filipino values in the industry
The Department of Tourism-13 has deployed 7,148 tourism front liners to assist tourists in the Caraga region, signaling a major push to revitalize the tourism industry in the area.
According to DOT-13 Director Ivonnie B. Dumadag, these tourism front liners have completed training under the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE), which is considered vital in implementing the tourism program in the region this year. Dumadag also indicated that the DOT-13 aims to train more tourism front liners through FBSE training in an effort to revive Filipino values of love, respect, and hospitality in the industry.
“We are reviving Filipino hospitality, love, and Filipino values through this FBSE,” said Dumadag. She also disclosed that the department is seeking more tourism front liners from various sectors including resorts, hotels, restaurants, transportation services, students, and local government units.
In partnership with public and private tourism stakeholders, the DOT-13 is also set to expand the Philippines Experience Program (PEP) in Caraga by stepping up the cultural and heritage tourism program in tourist spots in the region. Dumadag mentioned that the agency has begun a series of consultation meetings and workshops in relation to the cultural and heritage tourism agenda and is mobilizing its regional staff and personnel to achieve their targets this year.
The PEP program is part of the cultural tourism product development program of the DOT, aimed at highlighting and heralding the Filipino brand identity in all aspects of travel and tourism experience. Kylee Doreene Q. Plaza, DOT-13 Senior Tourism Operations Officer, emphasized that the PEP program is a priority for Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, focusing on recalibrating tourism products around the country’s unique cultural attributes.
Among the top PEP cultural and heritage destination targets this year in Caraga are Magellan Shrine, Museo de Cabadbaran, Our Lady of Assumption Parish, Balangay Shrine and Banza Church Ruins, Lake Panlabuhan Floating Village, Irizarri White House, Cultural Walk of Hinatuan and Tribunal, Black Beach 2, and PBMA Divine Master Shrine.
Furthermore, the region’s well-known attractions such as Siargao, the surfing capital of the Philippines, and game fishing in Pilar, also in Siargao, will continue to be promoted as key tourist spots.
