Two institutes of higher learning and a non-profit philanthropic organisation from Singapore are joining forces to support capability building for the tourism industry in Cebu, one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines for foreign visitors.
Republic Polytechnic (RP) and Temasek Polytechnic (TP) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with the Department of Tourism, Philippines and the Province of Cebu to develop a 36-month Tourism and Hospitality Capability Development Programme.
Trainers from RP and TP are jointly conducting the new training programme, which started last month and is supported by Temasek Foundaton International.
About 120 leaders and specialists from Cebu are attending the training that includes modules on Singapore’s best practices in tourism development and a study visit to Singapore to learn more about its tourism industry.
In addition, TP will also conduct a module on strategic tourism management.
Cebu, with its iconic colourful jeepneys is one of the most popular destinations in the Philippines (Image credit: Nathan_Allen/iStock )
“Cebu’s significant strides in community-based sustainable tourism development has been recognised globally and this programme will be a good opportunity to learn from each other,” said Agnes A. Magpale, vice governor of the Province of Cebu.
Temasek Foundation International, which has supported numerous programmes to build capabilities in communities in the Philippines, has committed a grant of about S$488,000 (US$358,000) towards this programme, which is co-funded by the Department of Tourism, Philippines and the Province of Cebu.
Benedict Cheong, chief executive of Temasek Foundation International, hopes the programmes will promote the exchange of ideas and experiences between Singapore and the Philippines, “and contribute towards sustainable tourism development in the long run.”
• Featured image credit: honin/iStock