The Provincial Tourism Office continues with its program to provide additional skills to drivers and other frontliners to boost the tourism industry in Negros Oriental.
In partnership with the Department of Tourism-Central Visayas, a total of 490 drivers from the different cities and municipalities in the 2nd District converged from March 18-20 at the Negros Oriental Convention Center to learn from the experts.
Provincial Tourism Board Executive Director Woodrow Maquiling Jr. said that since pedicab drivers are the “first touchpoint” of the tourists upon arrival in Negros Oriental, it is important they are equipped with not only some knowledge of our place, but also the ability to show the warmth of a NegOrense as community ambassadors.
Through the years, the pedicab drivers have become an integral part of the cultural heritage of Negros Oriental, and perform a significant function in the Province’s tourism value chain, he said.
Gov. Chaco Sagarbarria also extended his full support for the trainings. “Tourism, along with health, are at the forefront of my governance, as this would help provide more livelihood opportunities for our constituents.”
Last year, a total of 473 tourist-oriented drivers servicing the airport and pier terminals Dumaguete and Sibulan also when through the trainings.
The participants were provided with Tourist-Oriented Driver vests from the provincial government, and a P1,000 subsistence allowance through the office of 2nd District Cong. Manuel Sagarbarria. (PTU)
