MAKATI CITY -- The advocacy programs of the Department of Tourism (DOT) take center stage in “It’s More Fun for All” — a new campaign that promotes inclusiveness and accessibility in the tourism sector.

The campaign highlights DOT programs namely: Tourism Integrates, Supports and Minds Women’s Rights and Child Safety (TouRISM WoRCS); Barrier-free Tourism (BFT); and the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE).

“Through this campaign, we believe that our advocacies on women empowerment, persons with disability (PWDs), and the protection of children in tourism, will get the much-needed support from our local governments and tourism stakeholders in making our industry more inclusive, accessible, safe, and fun for all.”, said Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat.

The campaign features a video series on stories and case studies of actual tourism workers who have benefitted from the DOT’s advocacy programs. Among them are the Association of Boat Operators president, Ka Tung Samson; community tour guide, Rubelyn Sarigumba; Virignia Dominguez, a weaver from Ilocos Sur; Isang Ibrahim, a community tourism worker of Sta. Cruz, Zamboanga; Manila deaf tour guide, Emerson; PLT. Maricel Guevarra, Commander in Chief of the Boracay Investigation and Detective Management Section (IDMS); and, the Museo ng Muntinlupa management and staff.

TouRISM WoRCS is an advocacy program of the DOT that aims to educate tourism stakeholders on their role in eradicating women and children abuses within the tourism sector. This involves educating tourism stakeholders on the laws protecting women and children, as well as government policies and programs on anti-human trafficking.

Also included in this program are training courses that seek to empower women in the tourism industry, such as the Kulinarya program, where female participants are given skills training and livelihood opportunities on the preparation and presentation of heritage dishes for tourists.

The BFT advocacy program, on the other hand, enables travelers with accessibility needs, such as PWDs, senior citizens, and pregnant women to participate in and enjoy tourism experiences with utmost comfort and convenience. The program also provides opportunities for physically challenged individuals to be part of the tourism industry.

Lastly, the FBSE program is envisioned to enhance and uplift the quality of tourism services in the country. It is designed to promote service excellence in all tourism establishments by capacitating the country’s tourism workforce with a unique and exceptional way of delivering customer service founded on the 7Ms or the Filipino Core Values of Maka-Maylikha, Makatao, Maka-kalikasan, Makabansa, Masayahin, May Bayanihan, at May Pagasa.

“The DOT’s advocacy programs are envisioned to represent everything that is good about our tourism industry. They serve as a guide to all our partner agencies and stakeholders in properly dealing with all kinds of tourists, providing opportunities for all kinds of people, and protecting the vulnerable groups of the sector,” said Puyat. (DOT)