Youth training on tourism set

CEBU, Philippines – Tourism students in various universities in Cebu and other provinces will gather on September 25 and 26 for the Youth Tourism Congress 2010 at the Crown Regency in Guadalupe.

Initiated by tourism students of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), the forum aims to provide the students an avenue to learn the current thrust of the Department of Tourism on sustainable development in the tourism industry.

It also seeks to provide the tourism students an opportunity to listen to practitioners and learn about the best practices in their respective fields, as well as foster a sense of community among tourism students in the Philippines.

At least 350 students are expected to join the event, said James McJel Lota, overall student coordinator of the congress.

Participants will come from universities and colleges in Cebu that offers the B.S Tourism degree program such as USJ-R, Cebu Institute of Technology-University, and University of Cebu, among many others.

He said they also invited students from Bohol and Leyte such as the Bohol Island State University, Colegio de San Antonio de Padua, Bohol University, Holy Name University, Leyte Normal University and Visayas State University.

Albert Daphne Macan, a tourism student, sees the need to participate in the event.

"We, the youth, are the next practitioners in the tourism field, that is why we need to take part," she said.

James McJel Lota said the tourism congress is a venue for students to hone their skills.

Ms. Gelena Asis-Dimpas, Youth Tourism Congress adviser, is happy with the response from the government and some private organizations.

"The response is quite high," she said.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama is expected to grace the event. (FREEMAN)