STUDENTS and professionals gathered for an international conference in UST to find ways to build a competent and professional labor force that will cater to the demands of the international tourism and hospitality industry.
The 10th annual Asia-Pacific Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (APacCHRIE) discussed the latest theories and practices in the field, particularly on culture, hospitality, recreation, innovation, and environment.
“The conference serves as a bridge for hospitality practitioners by gathering tourism and hospitality educators and industry practitioners to facilitate meaningful exchanges,” said Ma. Cecilia Tio Cuison, dean of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, during her opening remarks in the four-day conference last June 5 to 8.
American Andy Nazarechuk, former APacCHRIE president, said the council’s role is to expand hospitality in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in the Philippines which has a growing tourism sector.
“The Philippines is being recognized around the world, so we anticipate more tourists coming to the Philippines. Therefore, we need more educated managers and leaders in the future,” Nazarechuk told theVarsitarian.
Meanwhile, Evelyn Timbang, a professor from CTHM, was appointed president of APacCHRIE, replacing Nazarechuk, founding dean of the University of Nevada Las Vegas-Singapore campus.
As president, Timbang plans to increase the membership of Asians in the council, particularly the Filipinos.
“We have to form more linkages [with] surrounding nations and we have to give them more opportunities to be updated [on] the developments in the industry,” said Timbang, who had served as treasurer and vice president of the council. Nikka Lavinia G. Valenzuela with reports from Jan Dominic G. Leones
