Global Youth Forum 2015: Youth on the Move

On October 1, 2015, hundreds of Tourism students from all over the country filled the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center for the first day of the Global Youth Forum 2015.

With the theme “Youth on the Move,” the 3-day forum aims to support the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization 2015 theme “One Billion Tourists, One Billion Opportunities. It is organized by the International School for Sustainable Tourism, under the care of the founder Dr. Mina Gabor. The first day was filled with prominent speakers, including DOT Undersecretary Benito Bengzon, Pacific Asia Travel Association’s Vice Chairman Andrew Jones, and former President Fidel V. Ramos.

After lunch, a session about “Getting Youth into Tourism Jobs” was opened by the keynote speaker, DLSU-Benilde’s Program Chair for Hospitality Management Mr. Gil Acuna. It was followed by 3 presentations to support the topic – Author and Public Speaker on Youth Culture Mr. Pocholo “The VoiceMaster” Gonzales, Lyceum of the Philippines’ Dean Bob Zozobrado, and Homestay Philippines Inc. President Ms. Rose Libongco.

The VoiceMaster inspired the youth to be ambassadors of the country to promote tourism. He also spoke about Jose Rizal as the epitome of greatness and excellence of the Filipino people, and how each of us can become the present-day Rizal in our own right. Dean Zozobrado shared LPU’s programs and activities to promote Philippine tourism, while Ms. Libongco discussed the benefits of working in a hotel.

The first day of the Global Youth Forum was a huge success, with participants gaining new friends and experiences that definitely shows, it’s more fun in the Philippines!