MANILA, Philippines - In preparation for the ASEAN economic integration in 2015, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is implementing the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement on Tourism Professionals (ASEAN MRA-TP) which will allow for free movement of tourism professionals within the region.
The agreement, which was signed by the ASEAN member countries last Nov. 9, 2012, is a significant component in the ASEAN Economic Community Integration which will take effect in 2015.
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said the arrangement lays the foundation for the certification of skills and qualifications of working tourism professionals from different ASEAN countries.
“Once fully integrated in 2015, ASEAN-certified tourism professionals who pass the common competency standards may find employment in various divisions of labor that are common across various sectors of tourism in member countries,†he said.
A tourism professional has to accomplish a set of basic requirements to be qualified for a particular job.
“In effect the program seeks to develop the skills of tourism students or graduates in the Philippines to enable them to find jobs in any ASEAN member state,†said Jimenez.
He noted that ASEAN tourism sector can greatly contribute to the regional economy if its attractiveness is accompanied by quality of service.
“Having high-skilled tourism workers to deliver services should become a norm to guarantee satisfaction of tourists visiting the region,†said the tourism chief.
At present, there are six labor divisions where tourism professionals may find employment in ASEANmember countries: namely Front Office; Housekeeping; Food Production; Food and Beverage Services (for Hotel Services); Travel Agency; and Tour Operations (for Travel Services Division).
Several mechanisms have been put in place to support the skills recognition and certification procedures for tourism professionals. These are the ASEAN Common Competency Standards for Tourism Professionals (ACCSTP) with the Common ASEAN Tourism Curriculum (CATC); the ASEAN Tourism Professionals Registration System (ATPRS); the ASEAN Tourism Qualifications Equivalency Matrix (ATQEM); the ASEAN Tourism Professional Monitoring Committee (ATPMC); the Tourism Professional Certification Board (TPCB); and the National Tourism Professional Board (NTPB)