April 16, 2019
The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) has approved and published training regulations (TRs) for two (2) qualifications or training courses under the tourism sector.
TESDA, the authority in technical-vocational education and training (TVET), has promulgated the TRs on Tour Packaging (Free Individual/Independent Traveler (FIT) Ad Hoc Domestic) Services NC II and Travel Services NC II, both for the benefit of the tourism sector.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) recently reported an increase of 69% in domestic travel from the estimated 56 million travelers at the end of 2016 to a total of 94 million travelers at the end of the second quarter in 2018.
“We are anticipating more demand for qualified workers in the tourism industry and at the same time, there have been some changes in how the tours and travel business is now being done and so TESDA should keep up with the training we provide,” TESDA chief Secretary Isidro Lapeña explained.
The TR for Tour Packaging (FIT Ad Hoc Domestic) Services NC II was developed by the TESDA - Qualifications and Standards Office (QSO), in partnership with the DOT and the Tourism Industry Board Foundation, Inc. (TIBFI) together with the Filipinos who are accredited as ASEAN Master Trainers/Master Assessors. Promulgated last January 11, 2019, the training regulation aims to equip the tourism service providers with the skills needed for interpreting and responding to requests for independent tour services, designing and developing tour package itineraries, and determining tour package cost and selling price.
Individuals who will be trained and certified under this new TR are expected to have the competency to be employed either as tour packaging staff, tour operations costing staff or staff assistant for tours as required by the industry.
Meanwhile, the TR for Travel Services NC II was recently amended to accommodate the demands of the tourism industry and the rapid technological innovations. It was also amended to better conform to international standards. The review was initiated by TESDA-QSO in partnership with the DOT and the Tourism Industry Board Foundation, Inc. (TIBFI) together with the Filipinos accredited as ASEAN Master Trainers/Master Assessors.
Training done under this TR is expected to produce reservations staff, ticketing staff, and travel documentation staff who can respond to inquiries, arrange reservations and travel-related services, assist in securing travel documentation and issue the necessary travel documents.
Individuals who wish to learn the knowledge and develop the skills and attitude to arrange travel from the Philippines to different destinations abroad may choose to take Travel Services NC II.
Meanwhile, the Tour Packaging Services (FIT Ad Hoc Domestic) NC are for those who would like to learn about preparation of tour packages to specific destinations in the Philippines for individuals (not tour groups), couples or small groups not exceeding 14 individuals.
Essentially, TESDA utilizes Training Regulations (TR) as the basis for competency assessment and certification, registration and delivery of training programs, and development of curriculum and assessment instruments.
As presented during TESDA Board Setting and Systems Development Committee (SSSDC) meetings, presently there are a total of 15,396 identified travel-related commercial entities employing approximately 76,980 individuals in the country.
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