Highlights from the eleventh Nationwide Tour Guides Conference and Common Meeting
Per week earlier than the nation celebrated the Nationwide Tour Guides Day (which occurs each third Monday of June), the Philippine Federation of Skilled Tour Guides (TGFed) and the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines (TPB) gathered tour guides from throughout the nation for the concurrent eleventh Nationwide Tour Guides Conference and Common Meeting and 2nd Nationwide Tour Guides Convention held in Tacloban Metropolis, Leyte from June Sept. 11.

The three-day occasion was marked by a collection of insightful talks from the business’s esteemed audio system, fruitful discussions among the many delegates, enjoyable nights, and facet journeys to the host area’s worth-visiting heritage and pure vacationer spots, which Karen Tiopes, regional director of the Division of Tourism (DOT) Japanese Visayas, describe in her welcome message as “in some way underrated.”


This 12 months’s nationwide meeting leap began on a moist morning with a tour guides’ and media members’ caravan go to to the close by vacationer spots, such because the MacArthur Touchdown Web site and the Palo Metropolitan Cathedral, as if we have been all launched to the area. A Holy Mass for the delegates adopted on the St. Roch Chaplaincy – Pope Francis Parish, additionally in Palo, earlier than the rolling tour of a few of Tacloban Metropolis’s heritage websites positioned alongside the way in which again to the occasion venue.
Round 200 skilled tour guides representing 18 associations from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao joined the conference that was anchored on the theme, “Philippine Tour Guides: Keepers of Tradition, Heritage and Biodiversity.”


“You aren’t simply holding the important thing to your vacation spot, you’re the storyteller, the cultural ambassador who breathes life into every landmark, story and custom,” stated TPB Chief Working Officer, Maria Margarita Nograles, as she addressed the tour guides in her keynote speech.

Nograles additionally inspired them to partake in attaining the nation’s purpose of being a prime vacationer vacation spot in Asia, whereas expressing gratitude to the delegates whom she heralded as important tourism stakeholders.

The convention served as a venue for discussing new concepts, sharing success tales and addressing related points that each profit and have an effect on not solely the tour guiding occupation, however your complete tourism sector. It additionally turned a significant platform for networking, studying and self-enhancement among the many delegates.
Apple Allison Perez, a tour information from the Bicol Area and one of many occasion audio system, emphasised the significance of “private branding” in her speak, noting the way it might contribute to their turning into efficient tourism ambassadors. She additionally confused that being genuine to who they’re as they convey tales and narratives to their friends tremendously helps in making the tour guiding occupation extra valued.

Tour guides are one of many unsung heroes of Philippine tourism. They’re usually perceived solely as handlers of the itinerary, however it’s their very own methods of presenting the nation’s native cultures, histories, traditions and atmosphere that leaves an impression that lasts.
The outstanding experiences that vacationers get hold of via their tour guides give them a cause to, as DOT places it, love the Philippines much more and encourage them to return, thus contributing to the nation’s multibillion-peso tourism business.

Earlier than the conference ended, members of every tour information affiliation offered a parting present to TGFed’s outgoing president, Alberto Gadia Jr., as a gesture of appreciation for his six years of tireless service to the federation. Gadia additionally thanked and acknowledged his co-officials and led the oath-taking of TGFed’s new set of leaders, who will arrange and convey subsequent 12 months’s conference within the Metropolis of Mati in Davao Oriental.
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