With the the theme: “Rethinking Tourism”, the pioneer batch of BS Tourism Management under the College of Economics and Management celebrated World Tourism Day on October 7, 2022.
The two-day event was opened with an international webinar, titled: “Strengthening Tourist Destinations through Regenerative Tourism” last October 5, 2022. Guest speakers were Mr. Sanhakot (Joe) Vithayaporn of Stamford International University, Thailand and Ms. Pinky Perez, HR Director of the Oriental Group of Hotels and Resorts.
The second day of the celebration started with an in-campus parade led by the University Band. It was then followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony of the newly rehabilitated CEM building. It was attended by Dr. Celerino B. Llesol, Campus Administrator of the Pili campus; Dr. Ana Mirana, Vice- President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Gladys G. Rosales, Dean of CEM; Enrique F. Villamor, Chairperson of Tourism Management; and Dr. Lilibeth B. Saavedra.
Dean Gladys G. Rosales welcomed the guests and students and appraised the activities related to sustainable tourism. In her inspirational speech, Dr. Ana E. Mirana, challenged the students to ask big questions and deliberate on solutions in realigning tourism for a brighter future. On the other hand, Dr. Celerino Llesol emphasized on a synergetic outcome between the environment, culture, tourism education, and professionalism.
Various activities during the event were presented including a poster exhibition by the whole Tourism Department’s student body, a 4pics-1word quiz show, a travel raffle, a film show on Philippine geography, and an outdoor “laro ng lahi” competition. Booths that feature BSTM students’ products were also the highlight of the event.
The celebration of World Tourism Day is part of the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s calendar of events and is observed worldwide every year since 1980. Its main objective is to create awareness on tourism and the values that it create among communities, the environment and the economy, as explained by DTM Chairperson Enrique Villamor.
