MSEUF CIHTM leaders joins '23 AAHRMEI Int'l Convention in South Korea; eyes collaboration in tourism, hospitality industry

Dr. Maricel D. Herrera, Dean of the College of International Hospitality and Tourism Management (CIHTM), and Dr. Jennifer B. Reyes, Department Chairperson, represented Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation (MSEUF) at the AAHRMEI 2023 Convention held from Dec. 1-4.

Themed "International Collaboration Towards Hospitality and Tourism Academic Engagement and Productivity," the convention emphasized the importance of partnerships in an era shaped by technology, globalization, and the 4th Industrial Revolution.

The convention provided a platform for school administrators and educators to discuss strategies to foster academic productivity and global engagement in the tourism and hospitality sectors. With the hospitality industry rapidly evolving, the event aimed to prepare educational institutions to collaborate locally and internationally for delivering quality, future-ready education.

Local and international experts delivred keynote speech, including Prof. Dean Ignacio C. Cordova Jr., DBA, known for his directional statement, "Driven by Vision, Fueled by Innovation,"  shared his achievements in quality assurance, cross-border education, and curriculum innovation, with his institution receiving accreditation from the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (USA) and the Institute of Hospitality (UK), along with recognition from the Commission on Higher Education as a Center of Excellence.

Moreover, Danny Araneta Cabulay, a Certified Public Accountant and former Dean at the Far Eastern University. Drawing from extensive experience with multinational companies such as Dusit, Hyatt, and Carlson Group, Cabulay provided insights on tourism management and development.

Cabulay also shared his involvement in the National Tourism Development Plan (2011-2016) and consultancy projects for various government agencies and the Asian Development Bank.

The MSEUF delegation also attended the TTRA (Travel and Tourism Research Association) conference hosted by Sejong University.

Dr. Reyes took an active role in the conference as a timekeeper during the plenary session, which featured Prof. Nancy McGehee of Virginia Tech, who gave a keynote on “Tourism Research During Times of Uncertainty.”

The conference provided MSEUF delegates with valuable opportunities to build future collaborations with agencies, establishments, and academic institutions. In addition, participants explored the cultural heritage of South Korea, enriching their understanding of global tourism practices that can be integrated into classroom discussions.

The convention aligns with SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by promoting productive engagements and cross-border collaboration to advance the tourism and hospitality sectors.