Palau, through Palau Visitor’s Authority (PVA), Belau Tourism Association (BTA) and Palau Chamber of Commerce (PCOC) or the ‘Tri-Org’ has signed up for the WorldHost, a series of hospitality training programs delivered worldwide to upgrade customer service standards in the tourism and hospitality industries. WorldHost was developed by Tourism British Columbia in 1985 to improve the quality of service in tourism in preparation for the World Expo 1986 in Vancouver, Canada.
In August this year, the Tri-Org has secured an initial two-year license from Tourism BC. AliiHost will be providing workshops geared to the needs of anyone delivering private or public services to visiting tourists.
In his toast, President Johnson Toribiong reminded everyone that tourism is Palau’s main industry, and customer service is very important in promoting tourism.
According to BTA President Mary Frances Vogt, Palau is the first in the Micronesia region to avail of such an internationally acclaimed customer service program as the WorldHost.
WorldHost Training Advisor Holly Frederickson is on the island this week to conduct the “Train the Trainer” workshops for the country’s pioneer AliiHost trainers.
“The story of AliiHost is a remarkable one,” Vogt said in her speech during the launch. “It began with the vision of Tri-Org who developed the Tourism Action Plan (TAP) Report of 2008, and then to the TAP Committee’s writing of the business plan in 2009, and finally to the AliiHost Planning Team’s organization of this launch event.” She said the project was a series of many small steps taken together.
With the AliiHost, the Tri-Org hopes to help “develop the ability and capacity of Palauans to participate in our key industry of tourism and to improve standards in customer service which will promote a positive image of Palau and add to our competitiveness as a destination,” Vogt added.
Vogt also asked President Toribiong’s administrator as well as OEK and the Tourism Committee to enable the funding resources necessary for continuing the AliiHost training. She asked the private sector as well to make the commitment to AliiHost and set the example and standard for other businesses.
The Tri-Org hopes to continue on to the next three-year license term and eventually expand into the Micronesian region.
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