The University of Santo Tomas became the first academic institution in the world to be awarded the Certified Guest Service Property institutional plaque by the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute, through Asia World Hospitality. The award was given last March 24, 2017 (Friday) to the Very Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., PhD, Rector. The plaque was awarded by Asia World Hospitality’s general manager Ms. Francine San Juan.
In her welcome address, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management Assistant Dean Amy Mia Turaray said the award was a testament to UST’s “continued pursuit of global excellence” in the realms of hospitality and tourism. The fields, Turaray said, are more “service- and people-oriented,” and “guest service is very important; it is the foundation in this industry.”
Setting the standard
In her congratulatory message, Asia World Hospitality director Margarita Borja said that she was “confident that the tourism and hospitality industry will benefit from the commitment of the globally competitive Thomasian tourism and hospitality professionals, and that UST will work hard to fulfill their vision of [becoming a] center of excellence beyond borders.”
“UST has set the standard for excellence in tourism and hospitality, and we hope you to continue to make a mark in the field,” Borja said.
One of the most beautiful and excellent
In his acceptance speech, Fr. Dagohoy heaped praises on the CTHM administrators and faculty members for making UST the first institution in the world to receive such honor.
The Rector underscored that this new feather on the cap of the 11-year-old CTHM joins distinctions such as the Center of Excellence award from the Commission on Higher Education, as well as the Tourism and Hospitality Education award for the college. “Congratulations, and I am so proud of you,” the Rector said in his message.
The award was borne out of the successful undertaking of administrators and faculty members of the CTHM of the Guest Service Gold workshops, which certified them as Certified Guest Service Professionals in 2016.
