Tuesday, March 26, 2024
The first-ever PATA International Conference on Women in Travel, spearheaded by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and hosted by the Philippines’ Department of Tourism, wrapped up on March 22, 2024, at Bohol’s BE Grand Resort. This landmark event saw the participation of nearly 200 attendees from 15 different locations, uniting industry front-runners, decision-makers, and advocates to deliberate on the pivotal role women play in the travel and tourism industry.
Over the course of three days, the conference delved into the hurdles and prospects that women encounter within the industry, applauding their accomplishments and tackling gender imbalances. Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and vibrant dialogues, the emphasis was placed on the need for gender equality and the empowerment of women in the tourism labor force, highlighting the significance of inclusivity and career advancement for women in travel.
The conference addressed critical issues like the scarcity of women in top executive roles, focusing on concrete measures to enhance women’s leadership skills, encourage entrepreneurial ventures, and promote sustainable initiatives with women leading as catalysts for change.
“I would like to express my profound gratitude to PATA for its partnership with the Philippines in the inaugural holding of the International Conference on Women in Travel. Holding this conference in the Philippines is timely, especially here where over 50 percent of the workforce of our country is composed of women, and here in our region in the Asia Pacific, where nearly 50 percent of the tourism industry is composed of women. We recognize the importance of this conference focusing on empowering women, tourism professionals, promoting gender equality, fostering leadership stories, successes, and opportunities,” Secretary Frasco said.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, in her opening address, extended a warm welcome to a global audience from the Philippines and beyond, including participants from Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the UAE. Secretary Frasco shared her personal experiences balancing professional responsibilities and motherhood, drawing from her tenure as Mayor of Liloan, Cebu, during significant crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and Super Typhoon Odette, and her current role as the youngest cabinet member under President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.
“I recognize that countless women must similarly confront the challenge of juggling work with caregiving responsibilities, and unfortunately, many of these significant sacrifices go unnoticed and underappreciated,” Secretary Frasco said.
“Which is why ever since I came into the fold of the DOT, it became my mission to ensure that the efforts of the Department must not only be focused on achieving numbers and targets, rather, it must also focus on ensuring the well-being of our workforce, dedicated to building a tourism industry that ensures that we put tourism workers at the forefront of the government’s priorities, particularly, women, who play a pivotal role in shaping our tourism landscape—from our female guides, all the way to our female officials. I sought to leverage the feminist values that guided me as Mayor: sensitivity, nurturance, humanity, and love, and extend them to a national scale, ensuring that the tourism sector serves not only as a vehicle of economic prosperity, but also as a force for promoting human dignity,” the DOT chief added.
In a groundbreaking move, the Department of Tourism introduced the appointment of Tourism Integrates, Supports, and Minds Women’s Rights and Child Safety (TourISM WoRCS) Officers nationwide, aiming to safeguard the Philippines as a destination that prioritizes the safety of women and children. This initiative will see the rollout of a manual to train department units in combating sexual harassment, trafficking, and gender-based violence within the sector.
Secretary Frasco also celebrated the department’s achievement in surpassing its goal of training 100,000 individuals through the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) program in 2023, with over 55% of the trainees being women, reinforcing the country’s commitment to exceptional Filipino hospitality and workforce development.
“This milestone sets a resoundingly optimistic tone for our industry, affirming our long-held belief that women can and should access meaningful opportunities within the tourism sector,” Secretary Frasco said.
“As a result of the unwavering commitment of Tourism Secretary H.E. Christina Garcia Fransco and the steadfast support provided by the Department of Tourism Philippines, this inaugural conference was an enormous success. Building on this outcome, PATA remains committed to organising the PATA International Conference on Women in Travel with other member destinations in the future to ensure that conversations on women’s empowerment can continue and be elevated,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid.
He added, “As a community, we must unite to discuss tangible strategies aimed at breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and implementing industry-wide changes that pave the pathways for women to excel in the travel industry. It is the Association’s wish that this event served as a catalyst for impactful initiatives and collaborative efforts towards a better future for women in all facets of tourism.”
The event’s closure was marked by Senator Loren Legarda, Senate President Pro-Tempore, who underscored the collective effort required to attain gender balance in the travel industry.
Attendees had the opportunity to hear from a diverse roster of influential figures, discussing topics such as ‘Women’s Empowerment in the Travel Industry’, ‘Gender Equality and Development’, and ‘Sustainable Travel: Women as Agents of Change’, among others.
The conference also featured a welcome dinner hosted by the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines, offering further networking and collaborative discussions on promoting gender equality and empowering women in tourism.
Concluding the event, participants were invited to join two distinct technical tours organized by the Department of Tourism, including the Southern Bohol Circuit Tour and the Bohol Countryside Tour, providing immersive experiences in the region’s cultural and natural attractions.
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Sunday, April 28, 2024
