SUCAHTEP officers and participants pose with Dr. Raul F. Muyong, SUCAHTEP consultant.
Iloilo Science and Technology University in collaboration with the State Universities and Colleges Association of Hospitality and Tourism Educators of the Philippines, Inc. (SUCAHTEP) held the 1st Grand Hospitality and Tourism Convention on August 28, 2017 at the Grand Xing Hotel Iloilo City.
With the theme Raising Hospitality and Tourism Competitiveness Towards ASEAN Integration, the first SUCAHTEP National Convention was attended by more than 1,200 students and teachers from different State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and private schools nationwide.
Dr. Jeanneth F. Darroca, ISAT U Hotel and Restaurant Technology Head and SUCAHTEP President underlined the importance of the forum to help upgrade the tourism and hospitality industry in order to cope up with the standards in the ASEAN market. “There is a need for the industry to be proactive, innovative and dynamic in order to have a competitive edge in the ASEAN market,” Darroca said.
Different tourism and hospitality related topics were discussed in the plenary sessions. Ms. Susan Santos de Cardenas, CEO and President, SSTDI, Jakarta, Indonesia talked on the Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality: The Global Sustainable Tourism Standards for Destination and Businesses. The topic MICE . . Coming to ASEAN was discussed by Ms. Ma. Christina Aquino, Chairman, TIBFI CMSI Global Careers.
Dr. Don Anton Balida, Co-curricular Activities Coordinator of Oman Tourism College explained the essence of Network for Voluntary Development in Asia while Mr. Alvin Gonzales, Marketing Manager, MIHCA, Manila reviewed the trends and updates of the cruise industries.
Among the guests who gave messages and updates on their respective offices were Ms. Phoebe Areno, Senior Tourism Officer IV, DOT RO VI; Dr. Florencio F. Sunico, Jr. Regional Director, TESDA RO VI and Dr. Cesar H. Medina, Regional Director, CHED RO VI.
Dr. Darroca lauded the participants and recognized the potential of the organization. “SUCAHTEP is just two years old and it is growing. The organization is already registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission and as of now there are more than a hundred faculty members and 10 institutional members, “ she said.
Other ISAT U professors who are officers of SUCAHTEP are Prof. Hazel M. Malayas, Prof. AAron Paul P. Puljanan, Dr. Noeme C. Mosura. Dr. Raul F. Muyong, ISAT U President is the consultant of SUCAHTEP.
Established in September 2016, SUCAHTEP is an initiative of ISAT U that aimed to address the needs of SUCs in the field of hospitality and tourism through upgrading the skills of the faculty and professionalizing the industry through forums and annual faculty trainings and conventions.
