Cebu hotel players brace for integration of Asean

CEBU, Philippines - Hotel and resort players in Cebu are urged to take a serious look on preparing their competitive advantage on the upcoming Asean integration in 2015.

In an interview yesterday, HRRAC president Cenelyn Manguilimotan announced that members of the organization are now called to prepare on the challenges that the Asean Economic Community brings, as well as effectively take advantage of its opportunities.

“Right now, we are encouraging all our members to do self-evaluation based on the new standard ratings implemented by the Department of Tourism, not only for compliance but to be able to assess our competitiveness against our neighbors,” said Manguilimotan.

She said there were orientation seminars conducted by DOT regarding the Asean Economic Community integration by 2015 and that members were already briefed on its opportunities and possible challenges.

According to Manguilimotan, challenges are expected especially when it comes to skilled labor retention — that is why players are encouraged to come up with programs that will address this concern.

Earlier, former HRRAC president Hans Hauri called the attention of the Philippine government to take an active stance in preparing for the Asean integration, particularly in the free-flow of manpower movement in the tourism industry within the region.

Hauri expressed apprehensions that if not given utmost attention, the country’s tourism sector may be affected by the integration, as fast turnover of manpower in the tourism industry is expected, and this may cripple the country’s growing tourism industry.

Hauri said that a joint standard in the Hotel Restaurant Management (HRM) course curriculum must be agreed among Asean member countries to ensure quality of workforce in the region’s tourism sector.

“Consistent standard should be set among the Asean. The threat of people’s movement within the region is apparent,” said Hauri.

As early as now, action should be done, Hauri added. “The year 2015 is so near. The Philippine tourism sector, for instance, is not yet ready to face the changes that the integration will  bring.”

“To people’s mind 2015 is so far away. But, it will just come like a volcano. It’s better to be prepared this early,” said Hauri.

The movement of people in the tourism sector is expected. He said a lot of good hospitality and well trained people in the tourism sector will be attracted to find good opportunities abroad, and that the Philippines, which is banking on tourism and is targeting to hit 10 million tourists arrivals by 2016 should protect the industry.

Hauri added that as long as the Philippines or the Asean will adopt standard and uniform classification in hiring people, the industry will be fine.

Likewise, in a separate interview, another tourism prime mover Bobby Lim said that instead of competing in luring tourists, ASEAN member countries should work together in complementing each other and  coming up with a good package promoting the  Asean as a preferred tourism destination  could be an advantage for the region.

“With should strengthen ties with the Asean â€”Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and others. One destination package is more exciting and attractive for the international travelers,” said Joseph.

Joseph, who is also the chairman emeritus of the National Association of Independent Travel Agents (Naitas), said that even before the implementation of the Asean integration by 2015, the Philippines through private sector initiative should take the lead to jumpstart this move. /JMD (FREEMAN)