Baguio City, Philippines—John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) and Saint John Paul II Learning Center have partnered to train individuals who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) as tour guides, promoting inclusivity in the tourism industry.
The initiative, called The Pathfinders: JHMC’s Special Needs Tour Guides Program, aims to provide individuals with ASD with the experience and knowledge they need to work in the tourism sector.
JHMC President Manjit T. Singh Reandi and Saint John Paul II Learning Center Director Sheila Marie Tuazon signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which was attested by JHMC Vice President and COO Jane Theresa G. Tabalingcos, underlining their commitment to promoting diversity in tourism.
“This partnership enables us to build a tourism landscape that welcomes everyone while providing individuals with autism spectrum disorder the opportunity to showcase their abilities,” said Singh Reandi. “Everyone has a place in this world, and we are all capable of achieving great things in extraordinary ways.”
The Pathfinders program is set to launch soon, with the first group of trainees expected to be stationed at the Historical Core, a tourist destination managed by JHMC.
