What's On & Expat - Philippines

COLLEGE GRADUATES WHO wish to enter the tourism industry better brush up on their English and personality skills in order to increase their chances of landing a job in a leading hotel or resort. This was according to leading tourism stakeholders in Cebu who were unanimous in saying that majority of the graduates interviewed lacked the proper job and attitude skills needed for their respective establishments.
   Timothy Wright, general manager of Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort & Spa, added that the industry also needs individuals who rise from the rank-and-file and are properly equipped with the managerial skills.
   “The Philippines may not have flashy resources but it still created a great impact on the Asean Summit delegates due to the natural warmth and friendliness of the locals. We train for skills and later develop the personality traits,” he related during the Industry-Academe forum held at downtown Cebu.
   Agreeing with him, Roy Abraham, general manager of Cebu City Marriott Hotel, declared that their first priority in hiring employees is that they have to like meeting people and making new friends.“We focus on the long-term prospects and potentials of the people we hire. We want them to grow with the organization as more branches open up. Also, we want to maintain our high ratings in guest satisfaction,” he added.
   Gerry Rodriguez, head of human resources in Plantation Bay Resort & Spa, placed a premium on English skills, saying that the better the grasp, the higher the chances of promotion in the resort.
   “We also want our employees to be well-rounded. College degrees are not required in over half the jobs in the resort since many are contractuals. Also, we are aware of the fact that employees usually do not stay long in the industry,” he affirmed.

                    Crux of the Matter
   Another common observation shared by the stakeholders is that the students, especially interns, have a dis-

- Net Operating Loss Carryover tax scheme;
- One hundred percent (100 %) foreign ownership of the business;
- Foreigners investing USD150,000 or more will be granted permanent resident status, along with their spouse, dependents and unmarried children below 21 years of age.
   Many of the locators are presently availing of the first-class housing facilities inside ZAMBOECOZONE. Attractive and spacious bungalows in a pollution-free zone complete with a lovely Nature Park, guarantee comfortable living. And outside the zone is lovely Zamboanga City with its resorts, beaches, hotels, restaurants, department stores, cinemas, sports arena, golf course, universities, hospitals, churches of various denominations and a modern airport. The Zamboanga City Seaport provides a vital link to Manila, Cebu, Sandakan in Malaysia, and other ports in Mindanao. (A travel destination story on Zamboanga City will come out in a forthcoming issue of What’s On & Expat.)

                    Where to Register
   Potential investors are currently making inquiries or registering at the ZAMBOECOZONE office located on San Ramon Street, Zamboanga City; tel. nos. (63)(62)992-0409, 992-2012; e-mail ecozone@jetlink.com.ph; website www.zambofreeport.com. Chairman and administrator is Georgina Yu.
   The Manila office of ZAMBOECOZONE is Suite 1614 Torre Lorenzo Ruiz, Taft Avenue corner Pablo Ocampo Street (formerly Vito Cruz), Malate, Manila; tel. No. (02) 3030671.