Posh resort staff undergoes autism sensitivity training

CEBU, Philippines — Plantation Bay Resort and Spa (PBRS) finds additional niche in attracting guests post pandemic, polishing its excellence in handling persons with disabilities (PWD).

“We aim to learn more about Inclusive Tourism in 2021, which is why we kick-started the year by attending the Autism Sensitivity training. From this, we can better understand and create a resort that is more inclusive through continued design and service improvements," said PBRS General Manager Cherry Allego.

Plantation Bay employees attended its first Autism Sensitivity training following the resort's promise of making services more inclusive.

Fifty-five employees joined the Autism-Inclusive Tourism webinar hosted by the Autism Society of the Philippines (ASP) last January 21, 2021.

Several employees have expressed understanding and appreciation of the importance of undergoing the training.

“We must consider each person as unique. Patience and proper understanding are the best tools in dealing with all our guests,” said Jenyfer Villagonzalo, the resort’s head nurse.

“We need to understand the unique sensory and social needs of our guests who have autism," said Maria Rebecca A. Martinez, the Executive Housekeeper of PBRS.

Employees also felt that the training helped address the gap between common misperceptions and what they should know to better interact and serve guests with special needs.

Likewise, Plantation Bay enrolled 14 employees in a sign language training by the Philippine Accessible Disability Services, Inc. Resort staff and department managers will attend 12 sessions in February 2021.

“We appreciate the decision of PBRS management to enroll select staff for sign language training. We hope to see more institutions, especially in the tourism industry, to do the same,” said John Paul Ecarma Maunes, CEO of Philippine Accessibility Disability Services.  Last December 2020, the resort modified its booking and reservations procedures and remodeled one of its freshwater swimming pools with an unlimited noise level. It also promised to engage in various inclusivity training sessions.