Bangkok, Thailand — Thousands of jobs in the hospitality industry of Thailand, particularly in the accommodation sector will soon be available to the Filipino tourism workforce.
This is one of the main agreements in the high level bilateral meeting between the Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn last Thursday (18 August).
During the meeting, the Thai Tourism Minister noted that with the lifting of travel restrictions and resumption of tourism activities, the Thai tourism industry is currently facing a shortage in their workforce with 60 percent of vacancies from different hotel staff up to middle manager positions.
There is preference towards professionals from The Philippines, Minister Ratchakitprakarn added, noting Filipinos’ impressive command of the English language- a requirement in accommodating Thailand’s increasing foreign tourists and guests.
“We note with serious consideration the shortage in the tourism workforce coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am presently in discussions with the Philippine Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) wherein we have agreed to conduct joint job fairs all over the Philippines, specifically catered to the tourism industry for the purpose of ensuring that those that left the industry or may have been laid off from the industry during the time of pandemic would once again have the opportunity to be employed,” Secretary Frasco remarked during the meeting.
DOT and DOLE are currently working in a tourism job fair program entitled “Trabaho Turismo Asenso!” together with partner local government units (LGUs) and incoming Thai counterparts slated this coming September 22 to 24.
Secretary Frasco shared that she invited Thailand in the job fair series to extend more opportunities to the Filipinos wanting to work in the Thailand hotel and restaurant industry. The invitation was gladly accepted by the Thai Minister who confirmed their countries participation in the said job fair.
Secretary Frasco disclosed that the DOT through its Regional Offices is also undertaking surveys of the number of available job vacancies, position titles, and other job posting information in each region of the country for additional local work opportunities.
The DOT-accredited enterprises expected to join the said career expo includes Accommodation Establishments, Travel and Tour Services, Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) facilities and organizers, Tourist Transport Operators, Health and Wellness Services, Restaurant/Food Service and other Tourism-Related Establishments.
