The UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management and the Research Center for Social Sciences and Education recently hosted the Second National Virtual Tourism and Hospitality Conference. The conference theme was “Nature and Culture-driven Tourism Development in Destination: Pre-, During, and Post-COVID-19 Pandemic Situation in the Philippines.”
It highlighted the significance of natural and cultural resources as a tourism-driven mechanism in the development of destinations in the country. Included in the discussion were the efforts of the stakeholders to sustain their programs and projects even during the pandemic, taking account of the recovery policies, goals, plans, programs, and projects that the stakeholders, specifically the private organizations and local government units (LGU) implement in their respective areas.
Private and public sector experts shared how the tourism industry stakeholders can adapt, adopt, and slowly recover from the pandemic. One of the speakers, Museo Ac-ac and Atelier of Paete President Dr. Marygrace A. Ac-Ac, discussed the “Nature and Culture-driven Tourism Initiative: The Case from a Private Organization.” She shared the best-practices of their private museum and what the public and other private sector groups could adopt from these practices.
San Nicolas Ilocos Norte Municipal Mayor Hon. Alfredo P. Valdez, Jr, M.D., spoke on “Nature and Culture-driven Tourism Development: The Case in a Municipal Level.” He shared the best practices and former issues that were addressed in their town by taking steps to streamline their services for the public and highlighted the town’s programs on culture and heritage. Former Vigan City Mayor Eva Marie S. Medina, talked the “Nature and Culture-driven Tourism Development: The Case in a City Level” and highlighted the importance of culture and heritage in Vigan, which made them a world heritage city recognized by UNESCO.
Bataan Provincial Tourism Officer Alicia Dizon Pizarro shared the current status of the province and highlighted some of the latest innovations and promotional campaigns of the province with the topic “Nature and Culture-driven Tourism Development: The Case in a Provincial Level.” UST CTHM administrators, Regent Rev. Fr. Roland P. Mactal, O.P., S.Th.D., and Dean Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado, DCL, delivered inspirational messages.
