Written by Rachel Grace Liclican
Photos courtesy of Kresdale May Pacalso
Fostering collaboration between hospitality professionals and students, the University of Baguio – School of International Hospitality and Tourism Management (UB-SIHTM) hosted a round table discussion with the theme “Towards a Greener Future: A Roundtable Discussion on SDG Practices and Sustainable Solutions” on October 9, 2024, at the Cafe Fernando, University of Baguio.
Several tables were set up where hotel general managers or representatives shared with students their best practices in their respective hotels contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Some of the key topics for discussion include wellness features hotels offer, contributions of the hospitality sector to the local economy, sustainable technologies in hotels, waste reduction initiatives, and how hotels work with local communities to promote sustainability. At the same time, the students also had the opportunity to express their ideas on the given topics.
Among the hotel representatives present were Ms. Marybeth Yu-So, Chief Executive Officer at Newtown Plaza Hotel, Ms. Jhoelyne Alquilos, General Manager at El Cielito Hotel, Ms. Charmaine Joy Rama De Guzman, General Manager at Le Monet Hotel, Ms. Zatchico Otero-Damian, Assistant Director for Human Resources at The Orchard Hotel, Mr. Carlito Trinidad, General Manager at The Plaza Lodge Baguio, Ms. Ma. Lara Dennise Felix, Human Resource Generalist at The Orchard Hotel, and Ms. Dania Claire Ramo, Sales and Marketing Executive at Le Monet Hotel.
The roundtable discussion fostered collaborative engagement and learning, as participants interacted with hotel representatives and shared experiences and insights with fellow students. This environment promoted active and lifelong learning. It also cultivated reflective leadership, as participants benchmarked against and learned from Baguio City’s hotel industry leaders. Participants enhanced their communication and critical thinking skills by articulating ideas and actively listening. The focus on practical actions and community impact inspired service-driven citizenship among attendees.
The roundtable discussion was organized by the Introduction to Meetings, Incentive, Conferences, and Events Management (THMICE1) Class Section HBC under the supervision of Ms. Roeanne Mylene Yango.
