Biliran Province State University marked World Tourism Day 2024 with a culmination event showcasing how tourism can serve as a bridge to peace. The activity, hosted by BiPSU's School of Management and Entrepreneurship (SME), brought together tourism and hospitality management students and faculty members.

The celebration, focused on this year’s theme, "Tourism and Peace," was held at the university student center on September 18.

In her message, Dr. Mafel Piol, dean of SME, emphasized that tourism has the power to bring people together, breaking down barriers of prejudice and misunderstanding. She also encouraged students to embrace tourism as a means to contribute to peace in their communities, their country, and the world.

“Tourism enables people from different backgrounds to experience each other’s cultures, histories, and traditions,” she noted. “It builds bridges of mutual respect and cooperation.”

A series of activities kept the audience engaged throughout the day, including a school-wide Quiz Bee, where students demonstrated their knowledge of tourism, culture, and global affairs.

A Product Exhibit also took place, showcasing creative solutions and entrepreneurial ideas from BiPSU students. Dr. Piol highlighted that these exhibits emphasize how tourism can promote not only economic growth but also the preservation of local cultures.

Moreover, the afternoon celebration embraced Filipino heritage through *Laro ng Lahi*, traditional Filipino games, held at the university oval.

Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has celebrated World Tourism Day annually on September 27. This date was chosen to commemorate the adoption of the UNWTO Statutes on September 27, 1970, marking a significant milestone in global tourism.

The purpose of World Tourism Day is to raise awareness about the role of tourism in the international community and to highlight its impact on social, cultural, political, and economic values worldwide.

[This aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies.]