How Hotel and Restaurant Professionals Drive Economic Recovery

The Philippine tourism industry is making a comeback, especially as the Christmas season approaches. After the pandemic, this recovery not only kindles hope but also proves that the industry continues to steer the country towards economic growth.

Sun-kissed beaches, heritage sites, and hospitable people define the tourism industry in the Philippines. It has attracted visitors worldwide, emerging as a significant contributor to the nation's gross domestic product. In 2019, tourism contributed nearly 13% to the GDP. Despite the sector's struggles during the pandemic, it has already shown signs of recovery following the lifting of safety protocols.

In 2021, the Philippines ranked as the fourth fastest-growing economy globally. The tourism sector played a crucial role in this achievement by supporting 7.8 million jobs, marking a 20.5% growth in 2020—surpassing the global increase of 6.7%.

While primarily associated with the hospitality industry, tourism and hospitality professionals can contribute significantly to the success of businesses across various industries. Their skills, work ethic, and customer-centric focus are transferable and can positively impact different sectors. Here are ways hotel and restaurant professionals contribute to business success across industries.

A recent survey by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) revealed that customer service is one of the top factors influencing consumer satisfaction and loyalty in the country. The survey also found that hotels and restaurants are among the most preferred sectors by Filipino consumers, indicating their high level of customer service.

Hospitality professionals excel in communication. Having this skill ensures a positive customer experience. This skill is useful in other jobs where you have to interact with clients, like in retail, healthcare, or corporate services.

When the pandemic struck the Philippines, the hospitality industry needed to show resilience and innovation to survive. To adapt to the new normal, establishments started offering online delivery, takeout, and catering services. Some hotels even transformed their rooms into quarantine facilities or work-from-home spaces.

Hotel and restaurant professionals are accustomed to working in fast-paced and dynamic environments. Their ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances is beneficial in industries with evolving market trends and customer demands.

Hotel and restaurant staff often work as part of a team. Their teamwork, collaboration, and coordination skills can be applied in any industry to enhance group dynamics and overall organizational efficiency. This fact is backed by a study by the Asian Institute of Management (AIM), which reports that Filipino hospitality workers have high collectivism. 

Most professionals in the hospitality sector value group goals and cooperation over individual interests. The same study also found that Filipino hospitality workers have high trust and respect for their colleagues and managers, which fosters a positive work culture.

People who work in hotels are taught to be careful about small things to ensure their services are top-notch. This is important in jobs where being exact, precise, and checking quality are necessary, like in making things or taking care of people's health.

Let's take healthcare as an example. Being careful about small details in healthcare can make patients safer and happier — even improve their treatment. According to a report, hospitals can learn useful things from how hotels do things, like when they let patients leave, managing how many beds they have, and improving the whole patient experience.

In the Philippines, most struggle with the effects of natural disasters like typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. But, the tourism industry especially has to cope with calamities as they disrupt tourism activities and operations. It also has to respond to the changing preferences and expectations of tourists, such as the demand for sustainable and responsible tourism.

Simply, hotel and restaurant professionals often face unexpected challenges that require swift decision-making. This ability to think on their feet is advantageous in industries where problem-solving and decision-making are critical, such as logistics or emergency services.

Hotel and restaurant professionals are adept at sales and upselling. They use various strategies and platforms to attract and retain customers. They leverage social media, online platforms, and digital marketing to reach a broader and more diverse market. 

Hotel and restaurant professionals also have to offer discounts, packages, and loyalty programs to entice and reward customers. This skill can be valuable in industries where promoting products or services, such as retail or telecommunications, directly contributes to revenue growth.

Working with a culturally sensitive clientele, hotel and restaurant professionals in the Philippines master diversity and inclusion. They respect and celebrate the differences and similarities of various cultures, religions, and traditions and provide customized and personalized services to meet the needs and preferences of different customers. 

The hospitality sector also promotes and showcases the rich and diverse culture of the Philippines, such as its cuisine, music, art, and festivals. Since they can understand and cater to the needs of different demographics, they are valuable in industries with diverse customer bases. 

Hotel and restaurant professionals are skilled in time management. They follow strict schedules and deadlines. They coordinate with stakeholders, suppliers, transporters, and regulators to ensure smooth and timely operations. 

The hospitality sector also uses technology, such as online booking, reservation, and payment systems, to streamline and expedite processes. This skill is transferable to industries where optimizing time and resources is crucial, such as manufacturing or project management.

Hotel and restaurant professionals excel in building relationships with customers and fostering loyalty. They value customer feedback and satisfaction and use various tools and methods, such as surveys, reviews, and ratings, to measure and improve their performance.

The hospitality sector also engages with customers through social media, newsletters, and blogs to provide updates, information, and tips. These skills are highly valuable in industries where customer retention is key, such as subscription services or consulting.

In the Philippines, hospitality workers are trained to ensure everything is safe for customers. They follow the Department of Tourism, the Department of Health, and the World Health Organization rules. 

In establishments, they also take steps to keep guests healthy, especially during the pandemic. They had to check temperatures, track visitors, maintain social distances, and sanitize everything. Their knowledge of following rules is fundamental, especially in fields where sticking to regulations is super important, like in healthcare or making medicines.

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