The School of International Hospitality and Tourism Management (SIHTM) of the University of Baguio in the northern Philippines recently hosted its tenth annual International Tourism & Hospitality Students’ Conference (ITHSC) on February 20 at the Newtown Plaza Hotel and Convention Centre in Baguio City.
This year’s conference centered on the theme From Classroom to Community: Advancing Regenerative Tourism Through Education, with speakers highlighting numerous aspects of modern travel and tourism.
In her opening remarks, Jenelyn Mangagngey-Magpatoc, the dean of UB-SIHTM, expressed that the event reiterates the school’s commitment to extending learning beyond the classroom to foster global tourism growth, particularly through regenerative tourism.
She stated: “Regenerative tourism challenges us to go beyond sustainability, to actively explore, nurture, and give back to the communities and environments we serve. Our academic endeavors can serve as a catalyst for advancing this mission.”
From Cultural Preservation to Urban Accessibility
Baguio City and the surrounding Mountain Province are renowned for preserving the natural environment while maintaining indigenous traditions.
During the talk Communities Shaping Tourism, Tourism Sustaining Communities, Rex Alwin Alquisan, Mayor of Kabayan, discussed the complexity of preserving indigenous heritage, especially regarding the city’s famed fire mummies, a crucial connection to the Ibaloi people’s heritage.
Dr. Philip Z Peckson, Dean at the University of Asia & the Pacific, presented on Revitalising Cities & Heritage Sites Through Walkability-Based Initiatives, underlining how such strategies can boost urban tourism by enhancing accessibility and mobility.
Rowena B Gonnay, co-founder of the Slow Food Community, spotlighted the global Slow Food movement and its role in empowering indigenous communities to preserve their cultural identity amidst modern agricultural challenges.
The conference concluded with Eunkyu Chun, from the Pacific Asia Travel Association, emphasizing the crucial role of youth and students in regenerative tourism, encouraging them to engage collaboratively with peers from other institutions.
As stated by Chun, “It’s not about me: it’s about you and what you can contribute as students and future professionals in the industry.”
