The Philippine hotel industry is losing talent to other countries in the face of the dwindling number of graduates in hospitality courses.
This coupled with high cost of travel and competition from unregulated players are some of the challenges faced by members of the Hotel Sales & Marketing Association (HSMA).
Loleth So, HSMA president, in a press conference over the weekend, said while inbound tourism has not bounced back to the “ level that we want and expect,” the group remains bullish about the prospects of the industry.
“It’s getting there,” So said.
So said the Philippines is losing the Chinese tourists, known to be the biggest spenders, to Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand due to visa and other issues.
So noted the need to make the country tourist-friendly not just in terms of access to entry but also in terms of improved airport facilities , connectivity as well as security and safety.
Agnes Pacis, a director of HSMA, said the skills drain in the hospitality industry started during the pandemic when facilities had to be closed, discouraging students to take up hotel and restaurant management courses.
Jenny Santillan, also a director of HSMA, said HSMA in the past years has noted Filipino hotel workers are being poached for jobs in the Middle East, Thailand , Japan among others. Cruise lines are also getting more Filipino workers.
Santillan said whereas before, overseas competitors get Filipinos for usual jobs in F&B, front desk and housekeeping, they are also now getting workers in sales and marketing.
She said Filipinos are preferred for their English-speaking skills and strong work ethics.
Pacis said the rise of airbnbs has intensified competition in the accommodation sector.
“We are competing with unregulated (players) whose rates are not competitively priced. (Hotels) have unique selling points,” Pacis said.
Amie Villena, HSMA vice president, said the cost of travel has become expensive that it has affected resort destinations like Palawan and Boracay. One big cost push is surging air fares.
HSMA is mounting its second 2nd HSMA Sales & Marketing Summit on June 27 at the Manila Marriott Hotel as part of its mission to help tourism and hospitality professionals become better equipped to meet market challenges and build better relationships across the industry.
HSMA’s summit this year is themed “Hospitality Unleashed: Breaking Boundaries and Creating Connections,” and will feature the following topics: Cultural Exchange Through Tourism: Building Bridges Across Borders; Leading with Heart and Vision: Discover Leadership Styles That Inspire Teams and Shape Unforgettable Experiences; Economic Outlook and Tourism Trends; Skyward Trends: Forecasting the Future of Airlines in 2025 and Beyond; Connecting the Dots: Online Distribution Strategies for Seamless Hospitality Experiences; Beyond the Headlines: Effective Crisis Communications; the Philippine MICE Roadmap Talent Development and Retention and; Green Horizons: Sustainable Practices and Innovations in Hospitality.
