DAVAO CITY — The third staging of the Hospitality and Tourism Experience Conference will tackle the future of hospitality and tourism and initiatives of the industry in the region as it moves forward. The event is set for October 16 at the Royal Mandaya Hotel under the theme “TOURISM FORWARD: Navigating the Future, Together.”
A Platform for Collaboration and Learning
The Davao Tourism Association, a private sector-led organization with over a hundred tourism establishments, is spearheading the conference anew. DATA president Nicole Hao Bian Ledesma said the goal is to create a space where local stakeholders can exchange ideas, learn from one another, and build meaningful relationships.
She emphasized the importance of including students in these conversations. “Being immersed with the industry’s conversations is just as important as what they learn inside the classroom,” Ledesma said. The conference aims to save local professionals, educators, and students from traveling to Manila or Cebu for similar learning opportunities.
Panel Discussions on Trends and Opportunities
The one-day conference will feature distinguished industry leaders, experts, and changemakers sharing insights on the future of hospitality and tourism. Ledesma noted that the speaker lineup includes local tourism champions alongside advocates from Manila and Malaysia.
The first panel, “Tourism Now: What’s Changing and What’s Next,” will feature Jay Jaboneta of Kenzo AI, Brian Ong of Hotel 101 Group, Vikki Aquino of the Wellness Tourism Association of the Philippines, and Nurul Fallah Binti Hashim of MARA University of Technology. They will discuss emerging trends shaping the industry.
The second discussion, “Tourism Next: Where are the Opportunities for Davao,” will be led by Willlenito Tormis Jr. of the Davao City Tourism Operations Office, Celine Le Neindre Van Dierendonck of EGIP Foundation, and Francis Chua of 2Go Group Inc. They will explore growth areas for the local market.
Preparing the Workforce for Tomorrow
The third panel, “The Talent Question: Are We Ready for the Workforce Tourism Needs Next,” will address workforce readiness. Panelists include Dr. Leomar Jay Oblianda of CHED-XI, Bobby Horrigan of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines, and Dr. Dennis Franco Layug of EastWest International Educational Specialists Inc.
Department of Tourism-XI Regional Director Tanya R. Tan will deliver the keynote address. Her message will set the tone for a day focused on collective action and forward-thinking strategies.
Commitment to Move Forward Together
The conference will conclude with a Tourism Forward Commitment Ceremony. This involves a Memorandum of Understanding signing between DATA, the Hotel and Restaurants Association of the Philippines, and the Council of Academic Heads for Tourism and Hospitality Educators.
The agreement formalizes collaboration in industry-relevant education, workforce development, research, and tourism competitiveness. Every participant will also signify their commitment to moving tourism forward together.
