Agoda recently partnered with the Philippines Department of Tourism (DoT) to launch the inaugural Executive Masterclass platform under the theme Leadership for Resilience.
The one-day session brought together 72 participants, including DoT senior officials, hotel associations, and hotel partners from across the Philippines, with a focus on capacity building and inclusive growth in tourism.
The Masterclass engaged senior executives in knowledge-sharing and interactive modules designed to enhance their ability to leverage technology, improve service offerings, and support economic growth through collaboration. The programme highlights Agoda’s commitment to empowering the local tourism ecosystem through data-driven decision-making and the integration of advanced technologies such as AI.
The event also serves as a prelude to preparations for the Philippines’ hosting of ASEAN, reflecting a shared emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and leadership among government, private sector and host communities. Leveraging Agoda’s network of accommodation, the session reinforced the strong partnership between the company and the DoT, laying the groundwork for continued growth and innovation in the sector.
Mike Hwang, country director for the Philippines at Agoda, said: “By equipping our partners and the industry with the tools and insights needed to thrive in today’s dynamic market, we support the vision of seeing the world for less and encourage shared growth for stakeholders across the Philippines.”
Verna C Buensuceso, undersecretary for tourism development planning at DoT, added: “The theme Leadership and Resilience resonates deeply especially at this time when natural calamities and other disruptions have affected countries worldwide. It reminds us that true leadership encompasses guiding our stakeholders and communities through uncertainty, embracing innovation and adversity and ensuring that recovery and growth are inclusive and sustainable.”
