International confab on hospitality, tourism set Oct. 24

MANILA, Philippines - The Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU)-Manila campus, celebrating its 60th founding anniversary this year, takes the lead by hosting the first LPU International Hospitality and Tourism Conference on Oct. 24 at The Bayleaf Intramuros. 

The two-day event, with the theme “Innovations and Diversity in Hospitality and Tourism,” banners a stellar line-up of speakers on topics that will benefit hospitality and tourism industry practitioners, faculty and administrators of higher education institutions in the country and those in the Asia-Pacific region, and government agencies involved in hospitality and tourism.

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. has confirmed his attendance as the keynote speaker. 

Other luminaries who have also confirmed to speak are: Atty. Roberto Laurel, president, Lyceum of the Philippines University, “Leveraging on Competitive Advantages: The Bayleaf Intramuros Experience”; Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn, “The Making of a New Natural Wonder of the World: The Puerto Princesa Underground River”; Peggy Angeles, vice president for marketing, Shangri-La Resorts and Hotels, “Making and Sustaining the Shangri-La Image”; and Dr. Felipe de Leon Jr., chairman, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, “The Role of Tradition, Innovation in a Global Hospitality and Tourism Industry.”

There will also be interesting panel discussions featuring the industry’s outstanding personalities: “A Country’s Cuisine to the World, Making Philippine Cuisine Reach New Destinations” with Claude Tayag, chef patron of Bale Datung; Philippe Bartholomi, general manager of Century Park Hotel; and Richard Masselin, general manager of Pan Pacific Hotel; and “New Directions in Hospitality and Tourism Education Programs” with Dr. Catherine Castañeda, CHED’s NCR regional director; Dr. Andy Nazarechuck, immediate past president and founding dean of UNLV Singapore; and Dr. J.S. Perry Hobson, pro vice chancellor for tourism, hospitality and culinary arts of Taylor’s University in Malaysia.

Added to the list are: “New Directions in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry” with Merril Yu, chief executive officer of Y&S 1847 Hotel Investment and Development; Narzalina Lim, president of Asia Pacific Projects Inc. (Tourism and Hospitality Consultants), and Ambassador Raymund L.S. Wang of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office; and     “ASEAN 2015: Implications for Schools and Industry” with Dr. Veera Pardpattanapanich, rector of Dusit Thani College in Thailand, and Ma. Victoria Jasmin, undersecretary for tourism services and regional operations of the Department of Tourism.

The other panel discussions are: “Industry, Academic, Government Collaboration Through Research” with Dr. Vik Nair, director for research and development at Taylor’s University in Malaysia; Dr. Parikshat Singh Manhas, associate professor at University of Jammu in India; and “Industry and Academe Partnership: A ‘Win-Win’ Framework for Practicum Training Program” with Dr. Samir Thapa, chairman and founder principal of Silver Mountain School of Hotel Management in Nepal; Dr. Veera Pardpattanapanich; and Vic Alcuaz, president of the Association of Human Resource Managers in the Hospitality Industry.

LPU Manila is a recognized leader in hospitality education, with its Level 3 accreditation awarded by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities, Commission on Accreditation. 

It is the first higher education institution in the country to receive a Level 3 accreditation for Hotel and Restaurant Management. 

The Commission on Higher Education has given LPU-Manila the “Center of Development” status and, most recently, the international accrediting agency has proclaimed the university an International Center for Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education.

Registration fee for the conference is only P7,000 and includes morning and afternoon snacks, lunches, the welcome dinner, a conference kit, and a raffle stub for valuable prizes. 

More details on this milestone hospitality and tourism industry event are available at www.ihtc.lpu.edu.ph or through the Secretariat c/o Cherisse Punzalan at 527-2744. Registration and payment may be made online.

Helping make the event possible are Dusit Thani College, Taylor’s University, Data Science Technology Corp., Group Tour Specialists, Roots Ginger Brew, and Vita Milk.