First nat'l gab of tourism students, stakeholders opens in Butuan

The Department of Tourism (DOT), Caraga Regional Office in partnership with One Corporate Grand Tours, Inc. will open the first ever students and tourism stakeholders' national convention today, November 16, 2009 at Balanghai Hotel and Convention, this city. The activity will run until Thursday, November 19.

The activity aims to provide an avenue for students, school heads and tourism stakeholders to enrich their understandings on the current trends of tourism and create a synergetic response to its challenges. The convention will also bring together students from different regions as well as tourism stakeholders from all over the country.

Invited speakers include DOT Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, former DND Sec. Gilbert Teodoro, Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, DOT Usec. Oscar Palayab, Ms. Prescilla Calimag of the DOT's Office of Tourism Development Planning, and Dr. Erlinda Burton of Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City.

During the break-up sessions, the participants will be divided into four groups with different speakers invited to share their experiences in tourism-related activities.

Among the invited speakers are Mr. Celestino Ulep, Tourism Consultant; Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Casurra; PSSupt. Nestor Fajura of Police Regional Office (PRO)-13; Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Ace Barbers; National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-Caraga Regional Director Carmencita Cochingco; Mr. Greg Hontiveros, a local historian of Butuan City; and Dr. Irennetta Montinola, Surigaonon Heritage Foundation Executive Director.

A registration fee of Php 2,500 will be collected for live-out participants while Php 3,200 will be charged to live-in participants. (PIA-Caraga)

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