By Cesar Cruz Jr.
Skål International Makati held its 3rd Fellowship and Membership Meeting on July 9, 2024, at the Grand Westside Hotel in Westside City. The theme of the event was “Skål: The Window to Global Connectivity.” The guest of honor and speaker was Mark Lapid, COO of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
After the singing of the Skål hymn, Capt. Stanley Ng took the stage to lead the distinguished Skål toast, setting the tone for the event.
Miss Universe Philippines 2024, Chelsea Manalo, delivered a special message expressing her passion for exploring and promoting the beautiful tourism of the country, showcasing its beauty to the world.
Joe Fijardo, General Manager of the Grand Westside Hotel, welcomed the distinguished guests and attendees, highlighting that the Grand Westside Hotel, with its 1,530 rooms, is the largest hotel in the country and is positioned as a premier lifestyle hotel delivering exceptional Filipino hospitality.
Capt. Stanley Ng, President of Philippine Airlines and Skål International Makati, thanked Joe Fijardo for hosting the event and for the hotel's contributions to the Philippine economy.
The prestigious event also featured the induction of new members: Mr. Emil Po, CEO of Lime Hotels and Resorts; Ms. Sarah Coe, President and CEO of Gene Lab Ph; and Mr. Villacrusis. Additionally, young Skål members Rod Matthew Dichos, Student Council President, and John Liam Limbo, Student Council Member, were inducted.
COO Mark Lapid presented TIEZA’s accomplishments under the theme “TIEZA Moving Forward to Global Connectivity.” He discussed the development of tourist rest areas, convention centers, and golf courses across the country, from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi. He also highlighted the Tourism Champion Challenge, where TIEZA awarded a total of P280 million from travel tax to LGU counterparts from the three major island groups for their ongoing tourism assets.
Lapid explained that TIEZA, aside from handling infrastructure and travel, is responsible for collecting the P1,620 travel tax, distributed as follows: 50% to TIEZA, 40% to CHED, and 10% to NCAA. He shared plans for the inauguration of the lighting of Mt. Samat with the Philippine President and mentioned the successful aesthetic lighting project of the San Juanico Bridge. Additionally, he emphasized the marketing efforts aimed at improving roads leading to tourist destinations.
He concluded by affirming the strength of the Philippines in tourism, citing the country's beautiful destinations and the warm hospitality of the Filipino people, and ending with the DOT slogan “Love the Philippines.”
The event also saw Dr. Mina Gabor, a former Secretary of the Department of Tourism, officially pledge her membership to Skål International Makati.
Skål International Makati is an active member of Skål International which is the world’s largest global network of tourism professionals.
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