World Class Philippines Social Tourism Talk @ CASAP-Bacolod by: James U. Sy Jr.

College of Arts & Sciences of Asia and the Pacific (CASAP) BSTM and DTM students with Anna Roux of France, Resource Speaker Thomas Graham of the UK, Tony Altonaga of Gawad Kalinga and CASAP Faculty Shane Matti and James U. Sy Jr. at the conclusion of the "Motivational Talk on World-Class Philippines and Social Tourism" on August 17, 2016 at the Theater, G/F Milagros Bldg., Rosario-Gatuslao Sts., Bacolod City (CMAS photo). Thomas Graham of the UK, an international journalist, Co-Founder of MAD (Make A Difference) Travel, and the Author of the best selling book “The Genius of the Poor,” conducted the “Motivational Talk on World Class Philippines and Social Tourism” for not less than 80 Tourism students of the College of Arts and Sciences of Asia and the Pacific (CASAP) on August 17, 2016 at the Theater, G/F Milagros Bldg., Rosario-Gatulao Sts., Bacolod City. CASAP is the first institution of higher learning in Negros Occidental to host Graham, who has been delivering a series of speaking engagements across the Philippines including Manila, Cebu, and Davao, to institutions ranging from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) to National Book Store Inc. (NBSI), and Marco Polo Hotel, and to educational institutions such as Ateneo de Davao, Centro Escobar University, and San Beda College among others. The motivational talk was facilitated by Ms. Shane Oñate, Full Tourism Instructor, with the approval of Maximo F. Torrento Jr., MBA, College Dean, and Jun C. Montaño, MPA, College Administrator. Thomas, in his distinctively Brit accent and humor, has expressed how he was greatly inspired by the Filipino people, particularly the work of Gawad Kalinga (GK), and thus, highlighted the unique qualities of the Filipinos that separate them from other cultures and how they can use these to great advantage in what he calls social tourism. Social tourism is a new form of travel where marginalized, rural communities provide fun and fulfilling experiences including homestays, local tours, immersive experiences, cooking classes, and more. This is a departure from the customary tourism which is primarily centered on commercial in scope. CASAP, founded by former Marikina City Mayor Ma. Lourdes C. Fernando in 2010, is a 4-campus institution of higher learning recognized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Department of Education (DepEd), and Technical Education & Skills Development Authority (TESDA) that offers Bachelor’s degree course in Accounting Technology, Public Management, Computer Science, Information Science, and Tourism Management as well as diploma course in Business Management, Computer Science, Computer Technology, Hotel and Restaurant Services, and Travel and Tours Management. The talk was a welcome addition to CASAP’s efforts to bring up-to-date industry developments to its student body and to supplement their classes with industry-based exposure and insights.