DOT 7 to Provide Homestay Training for 51st International Eucharistic Congress Hosts

The Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 said it will provide homestay training for families who will host delegates to the 51st International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) to be held in Cebu in January next year.

DOT 7 Director Rowena Montecillo said some participants of the Congress, particularly religious workers, might opt to stay in cheaper accommodations like homestay facilities.

Montecillo said the DOT will provide the homeowners with training on the homestay program so they can give guests a quality tourism experience.

She said the IEC organizing committee will identify the homestay facilities and the DOT will provide training even to the staff of facilities that have not been accredited yet by the agency.

Homestays are a living arrangement with a host family or organization that offers an extra private room or space for an out-of-town guest for a reasonable charge.

The host family or group offers the guests “a home away from home.”

“We will be teaching the homeowners and their staff the basic skills in handling guests as well as trainings on safety and security, cleanliness, housekeeping, among others, so that the guests will have a wonderful experience during their stay in Cebu,” Montecillo said.

Cebu City hotels are also gearing up for the IEC scheduled in January 2016.

Karen Mendoza, executive assistant manager of Quest Hotel in Cebu City said they have been getting booking inquiries for January next year.

The 51st IEC in January 2016 is expected to draw 15,000 participants, excluding spectators.

The IEC is a gathering of Catholics from around the world. The theme is “Christ in You, Our Hope of Glory” and aims to instill the concept of hope amidst fighting in certain nations.

“So far we have enough supply of rooms. But if the IEC committee will announce Pope Francis’ participation in the congress, then I think we would need more rooms,” said Montecillo. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS