I REALLY don’t know why it is hard for our leaders to address some basic problems in tourism.
Basic problem number 1 is the apparent uncoordinated approach among key tourism players, perte ka init ang kompetensiya sa presyo ug sa hijacking sa mga bisita pero way lumba sa kaanindot sa services. Basic lesson is learning to smile, at all times, and be pleasant too.
A businessman commented that apparently, wa ka-eskuyla og subject nga Smile 101 ang taga-front office staff sa usa ka famous resort. Or maybe, he added, lahi ang ilang treatment sa foreign tourists ug sa mga local tourists. Tomatik ilang smile og foreign, he said, pero pangitaon o pinugos ang smile kon local tourist bisan kon hunahunaon, parehas ra man unta ang ilang gibayad sa hotel services.
Husto o dili?
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Actually, proper training of crew is the lookout of the hotels and resorts. Meaning, only those who pass the “stringent” requirements will be allowed to show up in front and entertain guests, be they local or foreign. Hiposon ug taguan lang kadtong di kapasar sa subject nga Smile 101.
And the treatment of guests should be uniform, dili nang smiling and very respectful kon afam pero bastos ug nagmug-ot lang kon local tourist.
And while we are on this issue, the hotels, resorts and restaurants should also come to a consensus to, at least, “lower” or “reduce” their asking price, kon mahimo kanang comparable or a bit lower ang rates sa mga neighboring provinces. This will address the perennial issue of daytime in Bohol, nighttime in Cebu and elsewhere.
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The LGUs should also strive to continuously upgrade their respective tourism spots and infrastructures by providing sustainable support mechanisms to ensure a topnotch attraction and sustainable tourism program.
There should also be proper and sustained maintenance of basic facilities, especially comfort rooms, nga mao gyod unahan og sulong inig abot sa mga bisita nga afam or not afam.
And yes, dili pod maglumba og pataas sa rates but maglumba hinuon og panindotay sa serbisyo and facilities.
Angay pod unta tinud-on nila ang ilang gisaad panahon sa kampanya nga seryosohon nila ang local tourism development program, dili kay kutob lang sa bola-bola nga pamakak.
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Now, the basic but very problematic issue – the proliferation of colurom operators.
They are called colurom because simply said, they are not legit, they are operating without securing the necessary credentials. Paugat ra ang ilang business operations ug nagsalig lang sa mga kurakot nga mga connections nga kasagaran mga politiko ra pod.
They are an anathema or abomination to an orderly, uniform and very efficient tourism development program.
Gusto sila mo-negosyo ug mo-compete sa mga legit operators pero dili sila gusto mokuha sa husto ug kompleto nga mga papeles. As I’ve said, paugat ra lagi gisaligan.
That said, you can never expect them to be fair, effective and efficient business operators, di gyod ka ka-expect nila nga maayo sila mo-handle sa mga turista ug kasagaran nila, makatagam gyod kanunay ang ilang services. Kasagaran, sila maoy hinungdan nga motagam ang mga turista ug maoy makadaot sa image sa Bohol.
Ngano man – di man gani sila motuo o motahod sa mga balaod, sa mga turista pa kaha?
What needs to be done – remove them from the equation, undangon na ang “accommodation climate” nga gihimo sa mga politiko kay gusto lang makakuha sa boto panahon sa piniliay.
Kon colurom operation gani, stop them and remove them totally; make them feel that they are not welcome unless they secure the necessary credentials.
This includes cars, vans or coasters for hire, dive shops, divers, dive fixers, pumpboat and speedboat fixers, island-hopping fixers and yes, colurom tour guides too.
Mahimo kaha ni?
Of course, it can be done but only if they are really serious, dili nang magkalingaw lang og tourism summit kunohay, meeting sa mga stakeholders kunohay pero wa poy positive and concrete results kay pakitang-tao lang.
