To further hone the knowledge and skills of the country’s future hoteliers and restaurateurs in their chosen field, the College of Business and Management (CBM) Student Society of Central Philippines State University (CPSU) spearheaded by its president, Reymund Titong, organized their 3rd Annual CBM Summit on March 5, through a zoom conference with the theme, “Shaping the Tourism and Hospitality Sectors for 2021 and Beyond.”
Attendees in the virtual event were students and faculty members coming from Mindanao State University-Illigan Institute of Technology, Negros Oriental State University, and CPSU extension campuses in San Carlos, Hinigaran, Sipalay, and the main campus whose areas of specialization were Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management and Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management courses.
The activity aimed to inculcate to the participants timely and relevant information relating to their field of discipline from the inputs shared by the invited pool of high-caliber industry practitioners in the fields of business, tourism, and hospitality industry.
CBM Dean Sheila Ignacio thanked everyone who showed earnest willingness to participate in the said event to gain new knowledge, updates, trends and linkages in the business and management industry.
Nelly Nita Dillera, executive director of DTI Philippines-Trade Training Center, discussed “Pivoting Business: A Post COVID Approach”. She emphasized the importance of training in advancing one’s skills and competency.
“Through this activity, the training center will be able to reach more engagements and offer its programs to MSME’S who are newbies in the business world,” Dillera added.
Mikhail Camacho, former Business Development Director of Shangri-La Hotel Makati, discussed “Hotel Strategies to Fast-Track Recovery for 2021 and Beyond.”
He cited salient points and effective post-COVID hotel strategies being adapted by several luxurious and internationally renowned hotels.
Teody Espallardo, director of Sales and Marketing of Alta-Briza Resort Boracay, discussed hotel strategies and gave a bird’s eye view as to the current status of Boracay in terms of tourist resurgence and hotel coping mechanisms that made them afloat despite the hardships that the industry is currently facing.
During the afternoon session, Joebert Opulencia, president of Orient Tours who is currently based in New York City, discussed “Traveler’s Sentiment on Travel Resurgence amidst COVID 19.”
He pointed out several practices that the western countries are practicing to punch and eliminate the threat of COVID-19 and created a comparative analysis on how Asian and western countries deal with the health emergency situations in their company.
Win Sapian, lead strategist of Win&Co Strategic Development Consulting, likewise discussed the”Importance of Leadership during a Crisis.”
He presented various characteristics of a true-blooded leader and encouraged all the participants to galvanize and equip themselves with the right attitude to invite positivity.
To end the afternoon session, Alberto Gadia Jr., marketing specialist of the Philippine Tourism Board, discussed the “Recovery Strategies for the Tourism Industry in the Philippines.”
He strongly implied the importance of tourism in the economy of the country and how it helps the local community of the host place in terms of employment and livelihood.
Meanwhile, Ignacio concluded the event with high spirits and reiterated that through this activity, everyone can build a more conducive hospitality and tourism convergence and partnerships.
Also present during the virtual conference were Donnavic Dumapias, program chair of the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management of Mindanao State University-Illigan Institute of Technology, Divina Bulay, program chair of the College of Tourism Management of NORSU-Mabinay Campus, Ronie Bautista, Lewelyn Ronquillo, Charity Vergara, Maryflor Abella, Dr. Ronaldo Oñate and Kim Alfaras of CPSU, along with other faculty members of the College of Business and Management. (PR)