Tourism studies gather for second convention

CEBU, Philippines - Over 450 students from various regions gathered yesterday at the Grand Convention Center for the 2nd Convention of the League of Tourism Students of the Philippines and were taught their responsibilities and on how they could partake in the promotion of tourism in the country.

Xander Kim Sigua, president of the LTSP, shared that this was one of the ways that they were doing to share to the students what they could do apart from excelling in their studies as tourism students.

Sigua said that they wanted to inculcate to the students the advocacy that they need to practice and how they could help in the promotion of tourism in the country. He said that they are continuously encouraging the students to “help something for the country” and “in turn bring positive effects in the economic growth as well.”

According to Sigua, the tourism-related seminars that are given in the convention would help augment the education that the schools are providing the students and would give them the right exposure that they need which is very important.

Sigua said that they decided as well to conduct the convention in Cebu since the people here are already tourism-oriented and that they are keen on making the third convention still in Cebu.

Sigua also said that they are just starting to be recognized in the industry but are making stronger efforts to intensify their presence in the community and so that students would be able to participate actively in different activities related to promoting tourism.

“These students would soon be part of the tourism industry that is why we are conditioning them to be globally competitive,” he said.

He added that though they are just being recognized since no strong efforts were done like this by any student before, Sigua said that he sees students at present are becoming vocal and active in their support for the tourism industry and are showing their passion to help out in one way or another.

Consul Robert Joseph Lim, chairman emeritus of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies in the Philippines which declared support for the concept of LTSP before it was officially started, said that this was one way they were strengthening the knowledge of the students.

He said that the convention will teach the students vital information they need to know like the proper attitude and values that should be practiced when working and the different things to prepare for various activities.

During the event, the convention and exhibition manual was also given to the students which contained information on organizing activities like international conventions similar to that of the ASEAN Summit.

Lim said that the manual would also be given to the teachers which they could include in their learning materials. — AJ de la Torre/MEEV  (THE FREEMAN)