SLSU Faculty Leads Comprehensive Industry Linkage and Benchmarking Activities to Enhance Hospitality and Tourism Program
April 22, 2026 — The Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) Faculty of Hospitality, Tourism, and Management undertakes a series of strategic activities aimed at strengthening industry partnerships, improving student training quality, and establishing benchmarking standards with leading local and national institutions.
Led by Dean Dr. Dinah F. Catamco and Program Head Ms. Alma M. Arnejo of the BS Hospitality Management (BSHM) program, the team embarks on a multi-day journey from April 21 to April 25, 2026, engaging with various industry stakeholders to foster meaningful partnerships for student training.
On April 21, the delegation travels to Tacloban City for a benchmarking visit at Costa Brava Hotel, located near the airport. The hotel, which also serves as a prospective OJT partner, is evaluated for its facilities and suitability as a training site. The team returns to Manila early on April 22, where they conduct an extensive scouting campaign across prominent hotels in the metropolis. Notable among these is the Marriott Hotel, where the team interviews HR Officer Mr. Axel Gomez. He expresses willingness to accept OJT trainees with a minimum of 400 hours, implements screening procedures including online interviews, and provides students with working uniforms.
Subsequently, the team visits the Office of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to discuss updates related to the Student Internship Abroad Program (SIAP), aiming to expand international training opportunities for SLSU students.
The team’s next stop is Nang Ayat (Mother’s Love) Hotel in Alfonso, Cavite, where they monitor ongoing OJT activities of three SLSU BSHM students. Hotel supervisor Engr. Ronald Ruaro reports that the students demonstrate responsibility, adaptability, and professionalism during their training. The hotel provides accommodations, meals, and allowances, supporting the students’ needs. All trainees have already completed their required hours, confirming the effectiveness of the partnership and the quality of training at Nang Ayat Hotel.
On April 23, the team conducts a benchmarking visit at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), engaging with the College of Tourism, Hospitality, and Transportation Management (CTHTM). The visit includes comprehensive discussions on curriculum structures, industry linkages, faculty workloads, laboratory management, and community extension projects. PUP’s programs include diploma courses with OJT components, national certification preparation, and a wide network of partner establishments across Luzon and parts of Visayas.
The PUP team also shares their community-based tourism initiatives, notably in Luzon Province, which promote cultural heritage and sustainable tourism—an area both institutions express interest in developing collaboratively in research and extensions.
Following the PUP visit, the SLSU team focuses on establishing partnerships with Destination Management Companies (DMCs) and hospitality establishments on April 24 and 25. They visit Sharp Travel Services in Makati, which has a history of accepting tourism students from various regions, and Blue Horizon Travel and Tours Inc., a leading international Destination Management Company with a reputation for comprehensive training programs requiring 600 hours of internship.
Additional hotel visits include the Sheraton Manila Bay and Okura Hotel, among others, to explore potential OJT placements and formalize Memoranda of Agreement (MOA). These establishments emphasize the importance of structured training and screening processes, with many expressing willingness to collaborate with SLSU through formal agreements.
The activity series concludes on April 25, with team members preparing to return to their respective duties. Ms. Arnejo proceeds to Boracay for continued OJT monitoring, while Dean Dr. Catamco and colleagues reflect on the valuable insights gained from industry and academic benchmarking.
These efforts underscore SLSU’s commitment to elevating its hospitality and tourism programs through strategic industry linkages, quality student training, and collaborative initiatives. Such endeavors aim to produce highly competent graduates prepared to meet the evolving demands of the hospitality and tourism sectors, both locally and internationally.
For further information about partnership opportunities or program development, interested parties are encouraged to contact the SLSU Faculty of Hospitality, Tourism, and Management.