Bicol Expo tackles US Exchange Visitor Program

"The US Exchange Visitor Program and how Bicolano Tourism and Hospitality students and practitioners can participate", was the highlight of the recently concluded Bicol Inter-Cultural Opportunities and Linkages Exposition (BICOL EXPO), held Oct. 18 at the Avenue Convention Center, Naga City.

Attended by school administrators, faculty members, and students from colleges and universities offering tourism, hospitality and related courses, the whole day event also discussed topics on how to make Bicolano students globally competitive and the role the academe is playing to meet the challenges of the industry.

Mr. Aaron Black, vice president for Asia Operations of Zip Travel Philippines, presented the US Work and Travel Programs and other opportunities in the United States of America in the hospitality and related services.

According to Black, “ when I first visited Naga by invitation of the Universidad de Sta. Isabel last August, I knew that Bicol has very promising students and Zip Travel is dedicated to helping them realize their dreams by creating avenues for a better understanding of one another and the world around them thru the hospitality industry.” Reaching out to encourage a lifelong journey of global peace, respect, independence and understanding, “is what Zip Travel is all about,” he added.

The Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) Committee is composed of 11 member agencies and departments of the Philippine government. Zip Travel coordinates with the the Office of the President (OP), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA),Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) to encourage participation in the program and ensures that the same is vital to national development.

Zip Travel International has over 19 years of strong partnership with sponsors and facilitates over 3000 cultural exchanges annually with EVP programs worldwide, including the Philippines.

In his welcome address, Naga City Mayor John Bongat, thanked Zip Travel for choosing Naga to be the venue for their first provincial expansion. The event was hosted by Mr. Jovan Galvo, a faculty member of Mariners’ Polytechnic Colleges.