TACLOBAN CITY — Fifty tourist drivers representing 10 DOT-accredited transport operators gathered at Hotel Rodolfo from September 4 to 5, 2026, for the second batch of the Tourist Driver as Tourism Frontliner Seminar.
Elevating Visitor Experiences Across Eastern Visayas Roads
The two-day capacity-building initiative focused on empowering transport workers as key ambassadors for regional tourism destinations:
Frontline Tourism Ambassadors: Recognizing that transport drivers serve as the initial point of contact for arriving visitors, sessions emphasized first-impression management, route professionalism, and traveler safety.
Practical Service Modules: Facilitated by DOT Tourism Trainer Romano D. Del Rosario, the interactive sessions provided practical tools for de-escalation, effective communication, and local destination storytelling.
Focus on Filipino Hospitality: Training modules highlighted core values of courtesy and genuine warmth, aiming to ensure every journey across Eastern Visayas reflects high service standards.
Strengthening DOT Accreditation Standards in Transport Services
The seminar reflects a broader effort to professionalize local tourism supply chains across Leyte and neighboring provinces:
Fleet Operator Alignment: Representatives from 10 accredited transport providers actively aligned their service protocols with Department of Tourism baseline standards.
Sustainable Destination Growth: Department officials noted that continuous driver education builds traveler confidence and encourages repeat visits across regional tourism circuits.
