Annyeonghaseyo and Mabuhay blend at the AAHRMEI 2nd International and 23rd National Convention in Seoul, South Korea
It was a perfect balance between Filipino hospitality and tranquility at “The land of the Broken Calm”. Indeed, the spellbinding natural beauty of picturesque high mountains and clear waters and its splendid serenity, particularly in the morning have become a charming backdrop to the 151 delegates who joined the said concrescence of school officials / owners, deans and chairpersons, educators, transformational and visionary leaders, researchers, esteemed guests, and selected foreign participants who are in the tourism and hospitality industry from the entire archipelago, as well as, tourism service suppliers.
Incheon International Airport welcomed the enthusiastic delegates on the first day of December 2023 with anticipation of the biting winter breeze but have prepared in their “hallyu-inspired” outfits to match the season’s wintertime and experience the Korean wave phenomenon.
“International Collaboration towards Hospitality and Tourism Academic Engagement and Productivity” is the theme for this year’s convention. Dr. Ignacio C. Cordova, Jr., AAHRMEI Board Adviser and the OLFU Dean made a collective challenge for a “call for action” through meaningful, timely, and relevant worldwide collaboration with foreign higher education institutions, while Dr. Danny Cabulay dichotomized “The Universe of Networks for Tourism and Hospitality Educators and Administrators: Harnessing and Optimizing Synergy” and made a clarion call for optimizing collaboration among T and H networks to its maximum utilization. The venue of the convention was the iconic Paradiso Italian Café by the harbor overlooking the majestic N-Seoul Tower.
Another highlight of the second day is the international research presentation at Sejong University, a private university, which ranks (7th ) seventh-best global university in South Korea and the 79th-best global university in Asia to date. It boasts for its standing in hospitality and tourism management, dancing, animation and rhythmic gymnastics. While at the said university, AAHRMEI is privileged to have attended the 2023 Annual Chapter Conference of Tourism Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) with the theme, “Endemic Tourism and Travel Research in the Asia Pacific”. Five (5) research presenters shared the results of their academic paper with four (4) from the professionals (deans, chairs, faculty) and the only student, Mary Andee Nicole T. Santos completed the list with her research paper, “Travel Motivation, Destination Reputation and Social media Influence as Correlates to Travel Preference among the Employees of Changi Airport Group”. The other researchers were Dr. Michael Bhobet B. Baluyot (Technological University of the Philippines – Manila); Dr. Ma. Dina D. Jimenez (Technological University of the Philippines – Manila); Dr. Rubie Andoy Arroyo (Central Mindanao State University); Dr. Charmine Villaflor Rivera (Laguna State Polytechnic University – Sta Cruz Main Campus).
To cap the academic engagement that day, ten (10) selected government and private higher education institutions had signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) with AAHRMEI represented by Dr. Gloria Baken Wong-Siy, Founder and President Emeritus of AAHRMEI) and Dr. Seul Ki Lee of Sejong University through its Tourism Industry Data Analytics Lab or TIDAL.
Nicole T. Santos completed the list with her research paper, “Travel Motivation, Destination Reputation and Social media Influence as Correlates to Travel Preference among the Employees of Changi Airport Group”. The other researchers were Dr. Michael Bhobet B. Baluyot (Technological University of the Philippines – Manila); Dr. Ma. Dina D. Jimenez (Technological University of the Philippines – Manila); Dr. Rubie Andoy Arroyo (Central Mindanao State University); Dr. Charmine Villaflor Rivera (Laguna State Polytechnic University – Sta Cruz Main Campus). To cap the academic engagement that day, ten (10) selected government and private higher education institutions had signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) with AAHRMEI represented by Dr. Gloria Baken Wong-Siy, Founder and President Emeritus of AAHRMEI) and Dr. Seul Ki Lee of Sejong University through its Tourism Industry Data Analytics Lab or TIDAL.
The said agreement focused areas related to:
- Exchange of academic information and materials;
- Exchange of periodical academic publications;
- Participate in collaborative joint research and outreach programs;
- Support collaborative joint conferences and training/seminars; and
- Other academic/research activities to which both institutions agree.
Corollary to this, the first role of AAHRMEI is to recommend official and active member higher education institutions (OMHEI) in the Philippines to the Second Party for engagement and partnerships; second is to assist the Third Party with any training and development needed as required of the Second Party; thirdly is to collaborate with the second party for possible events beneficial to parties involved; and lastly is to accept faculty and administrators for AAHRMEI membership to further the learning and sharing of skills. All of these were made possible due to the kind accommodation of Dr. Seul Ki Lee who was sincere enough in accommodating the many delegates from AAHRMEI.
Cultural assimilation came in handy as delegates visited the Gyeongbokgung Palace and the National Folk Museum, passed by the Blue House; felt the “K-drama spot – Goblin” inside the Bukehon Hanok Village; made kimchi and wore the hanbok (traditional clothing) for experience that dated back during the Joseong dynasty; brought back memory lane at Insadong Antique Street; and rode the cable car to explore the famous tourist landmark, the North Seoul Tower or the famous N Seoul Communications Tower.
Local cuisines had become gastronomic delight while shopping topped each anticipation at the famous K-Cosmetic Shop; Amethyst Shop; Red Pine Health Care Shop and National Ginseng Museum. Myeongdong Street served as a haven for shoppers and good finds and almost everyone had a fair share of goodies from food to cosmetics; apparels and souvenirs, and matchless cultural immersion over a short period of time under the biting cold of winter. The 5-minute ferry ride from Gapyeong Wharf to Nami Island had become the much-anticipated “Winter Sonata” experience where our maiden step at Seoul has brought each to the “wowdearful” feeling and awed by the beauty of the island. The international conference brought anticipation to a reality; expectations to first-hand experience; has enriched cultural understanding of both worlds especially in the multi-diverse universe of travel and accommodation.
Grateful thanks to Dr. Gloria Baken Wong-Siy, Founder and President Emeritus of AAHRMEI); Ms. Vivian “Tita Vi” T. Dizon, (AAHRMEI Executive Director and Ways and Means and Invitation Chair); Dr. Lilibeth C. Aragon, AAHRMEI President & Program Chair); Dir. Melanie Rulla-Saro, Convention Chair 2023; Dr. Rene E. Aligonero, Convention Co-Chair 2023; Dr. Lilibeth R. Sabillano (Reception Committee Chairperson); Dr. Charlie I. Cariño (Souvenir Program Chair); Dr. Antonino F. Alejandro (Technical and Research Chair); Dr. Jimmy B. Maming (Technical and Research Co-Chair); Dr. Mark Daevid Adem (Technical Chair); Ms. Mary Andee Nicole Santos, AJAM President (Technical Co-Chair); Dr. Marilen P. Pablico (Evaluation and Documentation Chair); Dr. Lyle Abarratigue (F and B and Physical Set-up Chair); Dr. Celso E. Felipe, Jr. (F & B and Physical Set-up Co-Chair); Dir. Evelyn Delleva-Antiporda (Event Manager); Dir. Susan L. Palaroan (Finance and Logistics Chair); and Dir. Dexter Antiporda for making this annual activity one that is for the books.
Words of gratitude also goes to Dr. Marilissa Jimenez-Ampuan (VP External Affairs); Dir. Jomar T. Parel (Public Relations Officer); Dir. Ma. Elizabeth Navarro-Villabroza (Elecom Chair); Dr. Maridel O. Velarde (Board of Adviser); and Dr. Diosdado A. Amante (Board of Adviser) and all the members nationwide, that despite having not joined the conference due to unavoidable circumstances, your prayers, wishes, inputs, and advices made this international convention a huge success.
Finally, thank you very much to Haranah Tours Corporation, Mr. Jaime Tan and his team for arranging and taking care of our travel needs, our competent tour guides, to our sponsors and member institutions; Sejong University, the industry partners and valued friends. Maraming Salamat po.
Praise be God, the Almighty. Bless AAHRMEI as we continue to march on.
