The Biliran Province State University-School of Management and Entrepreneurship (BiPSU-SME) marked the culmination of World Tourism Day 2023 on September 27, with a day filled with informative sessions and exciting competitions at the University Students Center.

Anchored on the theme, "Tourism and Green Investment," the morning session featured a seminar titled "Green Investment in Tourism: Unlocking Opportunities and Experiences for Sustainable Growth." The event’s resource person, Ms. Kimberly Opena, underscored the critical role of targeted investments in sustainable tourism and urged participants to become stewards of the environment to benefit future generations.

SME Supreme Student Council (SSC) President, Hon. Joebert P. Castin, highlighted the activity's aim, which was to equip students with knowledge about sustainable tourism.

"Through this the students of SME will be more knowledgeable on the importance of Green Tourism and importance of preserving the environment in the industry," Mr. Castin stated.

SME students demonstrated their knowledge and skills in the afternoon session through various competitions. These included the Tourism and Hospitality Quiz Bowl, Food Innovation Contest, and Tour Packaging, Planning, and Pricing Competition.

In the Tourism and Hospitality Quiz Bowl, Gem Charles Uriarte, Serge Lloy Japson, and Jessa Eve Prudenciado secured the first-place position, while Mylene Mollejon, May Ann Lumagsao, and April Mae Domingo claimed second place, and Lemar Patana, Christine Olediana, and Techie Yana Paghubasan achieved third place.

The Tour Packaging, Planning, and Pricing Competition saw Zyra Marcelli Romero and Jaynelou Corpin taking first place, with Jellian Lazaga and Floremei Densing as second placers, and Rixther Requero and Vernadeth Mejarito as third placers.

In the Food Innovation Category, Denzel Amry Mocorro and Eliza Ocampo emerged as the winners, while Cath Nies and May Montalbar secured second place, and John Rovic Bagdoc and Raponcel Manansala earned the third-place position.

The culmination of the day's activities was a lively socials night, bringing together faculty and students to celebrate the success of World Tourism Day 2023. The event underscored the commitment of BiPSU-SME to promoting sustainable tourism practices and nurturing its students' knowledge and skills in the hospitality and entrepreneurship field.

World Tourism Day is an annual global event that aims to raise awareness about the importance of tourism and its impact on communities and economies worldwide. It also serves as a platform to promote responsible and sustainable tourism practices.