UNEP holds annual Hospitality and Tourism Business Forum

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Envisioning hospitality in the forefront of the Tourism industry, the University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) through its College of Business Education and Tourism, in cooperation with the Travel and Hospitality Management Department, spearheaded its Annual Hospitality and Tourism Forum at UNEP’s mini theatre over the weekend.

The activity aims to contribute to the total development of the students and other stakeholders, cultivating them to become globally competitive and endeavors to help them develop a strong sense of professionalism.

It is also in line with UNEP’s mission to produce world-class and quality graduates who are physically, mentally and spiritually capable to pursue their careers and contribute to the growth of their community.  UNEP intends to relay to the students and other partakers the relevance of connecting and setting the pace with various industry players in order to realize this undertaking.

Speakers who were proficient in these fields were invited to impart significant thoughts on the theme entitled: “Instituting Tourism Education and Hospitality Entrepreneurship as a Career pathway.”

Former Filipino TVET Expert of the Ministry of Education in the Federal Republic of Ethiopia Shirley Janiola talked about Quality and Standards of Tourism Education as a Potential Tool for Philippine Tourism Development.  The lecture speaks of the great potential of Tourism to serve as a vehicle that will catapult our country to development.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) through DOT ROV Regional Director Maria “Nini” O. Ravanilla also shared her thoughts on “Hospitality trends and Business Opportunities/ Bicol tourism Landscape.”

DOT Bicol has been consistent in its campaign to encourage more and more domestic and foreign tourists to visit the beautiful places in the Philippines, particularly the rich and the lush green mountains and destinations in our region. Bicol has a lot of world-class beaches and panoramic view that tourists would love to see.  This is alongside the department’s campaign to boost the local economy by providing the locals with livelihood opportunities.

Occasions like this also provide DOT with the opportunity to educate the students and relate to them the current trends affecting the local tourism industry.

Travel and Tourism Program Chair Bernard F. Soluta wrapped up the event and left valuable insights to the partakers on how to make use of their talents and resources to contribute to the growth of the tourism industry.  Soluta is the concurrent Program Chair of the Travel and Tourism Management and spearheaded the first Annual hospitality and tourism business forum. He is also an advocate of Green Rinconada. (UNEP)