The University of Baguio recently celebrated a milestone by successfully hosting the 10th International Tourism and Hospitality Students’ Convention. Organized by the School of International Hospitality and Tourism Management (SIHTM), the convention carried the theme “From Classroom to Community: Advancing Regenerative Tourism Through Education.”
Held on February 20, 2026, at the Newtown Convention Center in Baguio City, the convention brought together esteemed partners, aspiring tourism professionals, students/interns, academic leaders, and professionals from across the country to share and listen to the discussions for better regenerative tourism techniques and individualistic commitment to ensure that learning extends beyond the classroom, driving tourism, and fostering community engagement.
Alt Text: Highlights and snapshots from the 10th ITHSC, organized by the University of Baguio SIHTM
Among the list of participants who attended the event were:
- La Salle University – Ozamis
- Lyceum of the Philippines University – Laguna
- Far Eastern University
- National University – Fairview
- Nueva Vizcaya State University – Bambang
- Nueva Vizcaya State University – Bayombong
- Kalinga State University
- Pangasinan State University – Lingayen
- University of Perpetual Help System Laguna – Isabela Campus
- Mariano Marcos State University
- Saint Louis University
- Baguio Central University
Showing its appreciation for international academic partnerships, students from the College of Asian Scholars in Bangkok, Thailand, and Nagasaki Wesleyan University, Japan, also joined the prevalent discussions, which highlight diverse topics on tourism and empowerment among communities through preservation and sustainability practices.
Opening the event was Chairman Emeritus of the ITHSC, Ms. Jenelyn Mangangey-Magpatoc, welcoming the delegates and guests, emphasizing the school’s commitment to excellence and detail-oriented metrics towards academic tourism and hospitality.
Following suit was the virtual presentation and welcome remarks from Director Matsuda Shigehiro, First Secretary and Director at the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, who extended his greetings and shared an insightful message. Followed by a heartfelt message from Regional Director Ms. Jovita A. Ganongan of the Department of Tourism – Cordillera Administrative Region, represented by Mr. Julius Manabat, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer.
Alt Text: Director Matsuda Shigehiro, First Secretary and Director at the Japan Information and Culture Center, Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, and Mr. Julius Manabat, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer, DOT-CAR at the 10th ITHSC
About ITHSC and Philippine Tourism
Starting the year’s convention theme. “Regenerative Tourism” challenged stakeholders to go beyond sustainable tourism to actively give back to communities, with students positioned as catalysts for regeneration. The International Tourism and Hospitality Students’ Convention (ITHSC) encompasses keen observations and definitive ways to address the industry’s dynamic changes in hospitality and tourism education. Specifically, it aims to achieve the following objectives:
- to provide a platform for the future workforce to gain insights into regenerative tourism initiatives
- to provide insights on innovative solutions addressing sustainability challenges in the tourism and hospitality industry
- to display the growing importance of the interrelationship between tourism and networks as an important source of support for the tourism and hospitality industry
- to create positive awareness of the interrelationship between tourism and networks as an important source of support, and
- to strengthen cooperation and camaraderie among hospitality and tourism institutions, educators, and students
The convention is intentionally aligned with the Panagbenga Festival, amplifying Baguio City’s vibrant tourism industry and reinforcing its identity as a premier destination where culture, celebration, and industry converge.
Emphasizing Heritage Conservation and Revitalization
Starting the lineup for discussions and shedding light on the heritage and cultural significance of the Kabayan mummies, Hon. Rex Alwin Aquisan, mayor of the Municipality of Kabayan, Benguet, talked about the importance of raising awareness about the deep cultural value of the mummies, reminding us that preserving them is not only about safeguarding history but also about preserving respect.
Protecting the mummies means protecting culture itself, ensuring sensitivity prevails in safeguarding culture for generations to come. Furthermore, he emphasized how tourism plays a vital role in sustaining this heritage, ensuring that culture and community continue to thrive.
Alt Text: Hon. Rex Alwin Aquisan, mayor of the Municipality of Kabayan, Benguet, delivering his talk at the 10th ITHSC
From cultural preservation to urban sustainability, the session on “Revitalizing Cities & Heritage Sites Through Walkability-Based Initiatives” with Dr. Philip Samuel Peckson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Asia & the Pacific, highlighted the urban fabric as an inheritance. In his talk, he emphasized that a city’s form is part of its heritage and that walkability is an essential expression of locality.
Dr. Peckson also noted that right now, walkability arising from locality is more perceived than objective. This means it is not defined by the specifications of a sidewalk, for instance, but by what surrounds that sidewalk.
Alt Text: Dr. Philip Samuel Peckson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Asia & the Pacific, delivering his talk at the 10th ITHSC
On the third topic, Ms. Rowena B. Gonnay, co-founder of the Slow Food Community in Pasil, highlighted how the Slow Food movement empowers indigenous communities to preserve their traditions. Her talk emphasized that preserving indigenous seeds and foodways is not just about farming; it is about safeguarding identity, ensuring that culture lives not as a story, but as a practice carried forward for generations.
Moving to the next session, Ms. Marga Manlapig, Senior Editor for Travel Daily Media, inspired the audience to tell stories with authenticity and impact, urging them to be authentic, original in approach, grounded in humility, and committed to lifelong learning.
Alt Text: Ms. Rowena B. Gonnay, co-founder of the Slow Food Community in Pasil, and Ms. Marga Manlapig, Senior Editor for Travel Daily Media, delivering their presentations at the 10th ITHSC
The sessions featured educators from various institutions, engaging in dialogue with the speaker and reactors to deepen insights on the topics, including
- Moderator: Dr. Marivic B. Mutong (University of Baguio)
- Panellists: Ms. Caress Simuangco (National University – Fairview), Ms. Diyah Guwen A. Alejandrino (Kalinga State University), Mr. Alvin Santiago (University of Perpetual Help System Laguna – Isabela Campus)
- Moderator: Mr. Fernando C. Bagay (University of Baguio)
- Panel Reactors: Mr. Ranel F. Montemayor (Nueva Vizcaya State University – Bambang), Ms. Rosalyn Jagolino (Far Eastern University), Ms. Lynnebeth E. Jakosalem (National University – Fairview)
- Moderator: Ms. Sweet Eulynette C. Garcia (University of Baguio)
- Panel Reactors: Mr. Ryan Roy Bartolome (Lyceum of the Philippines University – Laguna), Ms. Magel Rempillo (University of Perpetual Help System Laguna – Isabela Campus ), Ms. Aira Leigh Suguitan-Rumbaua (Nueva Vizcaya State University – Bayombong Campus)
- Moderator: Mr. Vryx Kervin M. Bides (University of Baguio)
- Panel Reactors: Dr. Buena Creselda R. Taloza (Mariano Marcos State University), Dr. Billy T. Festijo (Pangasinan State University – Lingayen Campus)
The convention’s aim to spread the wonders of Philippine tourism, which focuses on the sector’s goal of better regenerative tourism, is directly related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly:
- Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, which specifically calls for strengthening efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage
- Along with goals 4 (Quality Education), 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) represented by the direct involvement of the participants to take action in the preservation of knowledge and practical implementations for advancements in the Philippines (on both inbound and outbound tourism initiatives)
Empowering the youth to take initiative
Alt Text: Mr. Eunkyu Chun, Manager for Membership & Youth Programme at Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), delivering his talk at the 10th ITHSC
Finally, listening to the youth’s perspectives, in the session with Mr. Eunkyu Chun, Manager for Membership & Youth Programme at Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), student representatives of different schools shared the student-led initiatives for regenerative tourism.
Chun challenged the audience, especially the next generation of hospitality and tourism professionals, reminding them, “It’s not about me—it’s about you and the contributions you can make as students and future professionals in the industry.”
Alt Text: Highlights and snapshots from the 10th ITHSC, organized by the University of Baguio SIHTM
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Written by: Rachel Grace A. Liclican
Article Enhancement by: Gabriel Madriaga
