1T1Group3MicroTourism

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 📜

Did you have fun and acquired some new information about the Tourism sector from Bon Voyage Season 3? On our end, we would like to give you more enlightenment as we reach the finale of our meaningful and jam-packed voyage. Here's what our team learned all throughout the days of webinar.

As the three-day webinar event come to an end, it made us realize such things and broaden our minds as Tourism students with regards to all pillars of Tourism. We came to think of how different the domestic and international Tourism situation was before the pandemic emerged between the current life we have now. Honestly speaking, as we've tackled this college course that came along with the Covid-19 pandemic, we felt the great despair and hopelessness that made us worry about our future. In spite of all these dim view, the dearest speakers from the first day up to the last gave us the opportunity to retrieve our maximum level of confidence and keep in mind that we are the hope for the restart and development of the Tourism Industry.

The re-starting of the Tourism sector by Ms. Bernadette Puyat, the Tourism Secretary of the Philippines, gave us the light and inspiration on sustaining our Tourism Industry for the betterment amidst the trying times of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the new normal, both the traveler's and tourism enterprises' perceptions, attitudes, needs, and wants have evolved and are consantly changing. According to Ms. Puyat, their goal is not only to adapt to the new normal, but to achieve a "better normal" for our Tourism sector to continuously adapt and at the same time, sustain its beauty and revenue. The DOT also stated that domestic tourism is the key to our recovery in which they have implemented travel bubbles and other safety measures to ensure the well-being of the locals are of the utmost priority. In relation to this, the innovation of digitalization is no longer an option but a necessity to give strength to the Tourism Industry.

The digital technology is vital as it quickly adopts in the emerging trends in how the world does business in helping this sector remain afloat, competitive, and relevant in the society. The digital resources consists of the implementation of contact tracing applications and QR codes, facial recognition, cashless transactions, online payment, digital keys, and much more. The established SMARTourism which strengthen digital platforms for promotions and marketing will become increasingly important in attaining better normal. If all Local Government Units, stakeholders, investors, and other Tourism establishments will cooperate and effectively make use of their combined resources, they can achieve great things and build a better future for the country.

Overall, it may be said that the nation along with its people must work together as we aim to achieve an inclusive, more sustainable, and resilient Tourism Industry. Finally, as Tourism Management students, we are pleased to offer our open hands in helping our sector get back in its shape once again. We are not only working for our own desires of having a successful career and profession in the future, but also for our country's Tourism sector to be a more well-known tourist destination for its appealing beauty where traveling is safe and fun even during the pandemic.

Again, this has been Acosta, Carabbacan, Resurreccion, Sy, and Tinio the Group 3 from the class 1T1. Wishing you a safe and sound New Normal Bon Voyage!

𝐀𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐮! 🙏

“𝐀 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐄𝐥 𝐍𝐢𝐝𝐨”

Episode 9: Safe Travels and the role of a tourist in uplifting the industry with Ms. Kayesha Clauden Chua (Outdoor Recreation)

Escape the new reality: A beach trip is all you need

The world has changed completely in the past year because of the effects brought by the on-going pandemic. It has put everyone’s life on hold, drastic changes that affected every single person and industry especially the tourism sector. The new life which we now call the new normal because of the new way of living brought by the COVID-19 virus, the pandemic has greatly affected the tourism sector because people are now afraid to move from one place to another in the fear of incurring the virus for themselves and their loved ones. A lot of businesses in the tourism sector have been forced to cut expenses, lay off employees and shut down their business because they cannot take the loss anymore. New guidelines for the safety of tourists have been put into place by the government to ensure the safety of those who still want to travel at this time but not everyone can afford it. We can all say that travelling nowadays is more expensive and more time-consuming because of all the requirements needed to prevent the spread of the virus. However, we can all agree that we need to take a break every once in a while away from our homes and our gadgets for our mental health. The easing of the travel restrictions domestically has given the citizens of this country a new way to travel safely, a way in which they can unwind and recover from the pandemic fatigue that each and everyone have been experiencing right now.

Ms. Kayesha Clauden Chua gave us a glimpse of the new normal in the tourism industry in her vlog about the beautiful islands of El Nido, Palawan. She showed us how things have changed in the operations of the tourism sector, a limited capacity in planes and hotels has been set to limit the movement of people in places. I saw how peaceful it is to travel right now because famous tourism sites are not too crowded right now because of the restrictions and the lack of tourists who want to go out right now. El Nido has been one of the most famous tourist spots in our country because of its beautiful beaches and the big lagoon which is a marvelous place to see. I was so amazed by the white sand, the crystal clear water and the rock formations of El Nido shown in the vlog. And I think that it is much better to see El Nido in person but given the circumstances we cannot. However we are all thankful for vloggers such as Ms. Chua who shares her journey with us through her vlogs. We may not be there in person but we can still feel and see how beautiful that place is. We surely miss travelling in which we can experience the joy of being in an unfamiliar place where we can taste new foods, meet new people, and explore the hidden parts that the world has to offer. El Nido is such a beautiful paradise that I know will bring unforgettable experience especially if we have our loved ones or friends with us. I cannot wait for this pandemic to end and go to El Nido because I want to experience the things that Ms. Chua showed us.

I know how all of us want this pandemic to end already but we must all be patient and responsible in following the guidelines that have been put to place to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We should all be united to a common goal of stopping this pandemic once and for all, to get our lives back, travel wherever we want and live our lives to the fullest but we must first do our part to ourselves and to others to put a stop in this pandemic. I know how we are all tired because of this pandemic but I believe that this is a challenge that we need to conquer to help us grow and be stronger as a person. After this pandemic, I know each and every one will emerge as a much better person than they ever were. Plan the trips and travels where you want to go after this pandemic is over, envision yourself being at that place and use it as your motivation to keep fighting. I believe that the only permanent thing here in our world is change and this pandemic will never be here forever. We will rise again and travel to every place we want to go, eat every cuisine, and learn every culture that excites us. The tourism industry will never be gone, they are just taking a break just the rest of us but I assure you that they will be back, better and ready to serve each and every one of your travels after this pandemic has ended. Our time will come where we can all be free again to go to any place we want and enjoy our lives to the fullest, be patient our journey is just getting started.

By: Michael Acosta





*credits to the rightful owners of the videos used*

“𝐀 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐌𝐗 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫”

Episode 8: Embracing Change in Events with Ms. Ivy S. Samarista (Events)

Your Vision Brought to Life

Do you know that SMX Convention Center has 8 branches around the Philippines? Yes, it doesn't only stand in Manila. In fact, SMX also holds events in Aura, Bacolod, Clark, Davao, Olongapo, Megatrade Hall, and Sky Hall Seaside Cebu. Interestingly how it invades the country in different areas, and maybe that's why it is called the premier events venue in the Philippines where news making events happen and game changing ideas are exchanged. There's more to know about the SMX Convention Center with the help of the National Sales Manager, Ms. Ivy S. Samarista.

This events venue manages the MICE- meeting, incentive, convention, and exhibition in major cities in the Philippines as stated above. It also aims to offer premium venues for local and international events in the country which has great potential in the MICE industry. As it can gather locals and foreign nationals together, its impact is very significant in contributing to the overall economic state of the country. Ms. Ivy also stated that they can accommodate 10,000 people with their huge halls. Perhaps for some it is very unusual to hear particularly for students like us who are just used to joining hundreds of people in an event. Moreover, it can hold concerts, conventions, trade shows, celebrations, and even a circus with the provision of unparalleled service from highly trained events services professionals and specialists to make sure the event is perfect up to the last details. The SMX Convention Center in Manila is also very accessible to all where it surrounds the Mall of Asia Arena, E-Com Office Buildings, Conrad Hotel Manila, and 15 minute access to and from domestic and international airports.

As I've watched and put my attention into this, my perspective of holding events in just a simple way and that it is only for birthday parties climbed up to the idea that it encompasses the MICE industry which takes a big part in a country's economy. It enlightened my understanding on how managing an event should constantly innovate and expand to adapt in the environment and to its people.

To wrap up, you can turn your vision into a reality if you have the strength to spare no effort in reaching success. As the pandemic has come to an end, the MICE industry will definitely hold more clients and guests to give them the exceptional service they have prepared for a long period of time.

By: Katreena Carabbacan





*credits to the rightful owners of the videos used*

“𝐀𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐨𝐧 𝐕𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞”

Episode 4: An International Lodging Experience with Mr. John Johara Martinez (Accommodation)

Journey into the Merlion City

Singapore, named as a microcosm of modern Asia has catapulted itself various endearing tourist attractions to lure tourists into the culture, history and culinary delights of one of Asia’s most visited destinations. From the Gardens by the Bay, the largest tropical orchard garden in the world and the Merlion statue, all these have contributed to make its mark on the world with some top notch accolades despite its diminutive size and relatively young age.

Making it a top tourist destination, travelers will surely have to book an accommodation at the Lion City. Staying in a hotel after a long and tiring day will let tourists relax and enjoy their stay even more. But what is it like in the accommodation sector amidst the pandemic? Hotel manager, Mr. John Johara Martinez shares a virtual tour of Hotel Nuve Urbane, Singapore inspiring us and opening our minds regarding our industry.

He first shared about his journey on how he became a receptionist, to handle an office job that later on realized that it is not suited for him. In wanting to explore more in the hotel industry, his travel agency hired Mr.John in a hotel at Singapore wherein he became the Manager. As a hotel manager, you have the responsibility for managing employees and overseeing all the operations in the organization. Handling this tough job was not easy for him but it also became a stepping stone for improvement and gaining knowledge in striving to become better each day.

As tourism students, we have a long way to go in making a great impact in the Tourism industry. There will be trials and struggles in finding our way towards the bright path of our future. This pandemic is only a phase that will surely pass and once that happens, we can apply all the learnings and insights that we have gained through this virtual tour into the real Tourism world out there. Let us remember that to accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

By: Maria Camille Resurreccion





*credits to the rightful owners of the videos used*