The world has seen many economies gravitate toward a recession mode where many industries, particularly the financial and manufacturing sectors, are adversely affected. The tourism and hospitality industry, however, seems least affected by this global economic crisis.
With Raffles, Banyan Tree, Radisson, Four Seasons, and other respectable brands coming into the Philippine tourism market within the next couple of years, we truly have to brace ourselves and be prepared for the upswing when the worst is over.
Tourism is a perennial top dollar-earner for the Philippines. It is a key source of foreign exchange which impacts heavily on the country’s balance of payments and the purchasing power of the peso. It is also a main source of employment for millions of Filipinos working in various properties, food and beverage outlets, transportation companies, entertainment and leisure outlets, and travel trade companies locally and overseas.
Just like any dynamic industry, the forces of the market create various business and personal experiences that cause challenging situations to arise. As managers in the tourism and hospitality industry conduct their routine as well as special tasks, problems or challenging situations arise from time to time. Litigation and bad publicity are the two things you want to avoid as they result in lost customers and reduction of profits. Problems could arise from violation of contracts, accidents, food poisoning, labor concerns, crimes in the workplace, managing student apprentices, morality issues at work, insurance, construction and development of tourism facilities, transportation of tourists, start-up operations, tourism investments, dealing with government agencies, financial transactions, security and anti-terrorism issues, engagement of services of suppliers and service providers, and many others.
Philippine Tourism Laws is a textbook written to provide a serious look at the different laws affecting the Philippine tourism industry.
Written by Dean Danny Araneta Cabulay and Atty. Christine Palafox Carpio, it will be very useful to everyone — students, teachers, lawyers, entrepreneurs, managers, hospitality workers, parents, expatriates, missionaries, government tourism executives, and members of the diplomatic community. This book is a must-read for all security officers in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Dean Cabulay, a CPA by profession, armed with an MBA from Trinity College Dublin in Ireland, and with three world championship coaching stints under his belt, is a veteran in the hospitality industry, having served in senior executive positions with brands like Four Seasons, Hyatt, Dusit, Carlson, et al. Meanwhile, Atty. Carpio, a Mass Communications alumna of De La Salle University with an MBA from Far Eastern University with high distinction, has an enviable track record as a practicing lawyer and as a campus artistic director.
Apart from primarily targeting the academic market, the authors have set their sights on other slices of the pie. In reality, every person is a traveler by nature. Whatever the reasons for traveling — business, leisure or simply visiting friends and relatives — it is important to be aware of one’s rights. If you engage in any of the following activities: a relaxing massage in a resort, business meeting in a city hotel, romantic dinner in a fine dining restaurant, a few rounds of drinks in a pub, watching movies with the family in a cinema, educational tour for students in a theme park or museum, island-hopping on a motorized banca, watching a theatrical play or music concert, availing of catering and event planner services, taking an international flight, participating in a local festival or sending a child to a hospitality or culinary school — there are a number of laws that ought to be followed as they are designed to protect both the travelers (customers) and tourism or hospitality workers.
The book is endorsed by Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano and IBP President Atty. Feliciano Bautista. This book is essential for every tourism or hospitality establishment. The top schools in the country already prescribe it as a textbook. The book is reasonably priced at Php450 and is available at all National Bookstore and Rex Bookstore outlets nationwide. Prevention is the best approach to any challenge. Knowing the law is as essential as oxygen is to our bodies. Besides, ignorance of the law excuses no one. •
Reviewer: Augustus Caesar B. Esmeralda is a Certified Protection Professional and Certified Security Professional. He is a former Regional Director of Security of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts for Middle East, Asia and Pacific. He is a Philippine Military Academy graduate with a Master in Management degree from the Asian Institute of Management.
