BACOLOD CITY – A momentous partnership was forged between La Consolacion College Bacolod and ZIP Travel Philippines, aimed at providing students with enriching experiences in the fields of Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, and Tourism Management. This collaboration paves the way for cultural exchange programs, on-the-job training, and various academic activities.
The signing of this significant agreement took place on October 12, 2023, at the La Consolacion College Bacolod Auditorium, with key figures from both institutions present.
In her address to the students and their parents, Sr. Joan Brigida Corazon S. Infante, OSA, President of LCC Bacolod, delivered a heartfelt message. She encouraged the students to prepare themselves to step out of their comfort zones, emphasizing that this would be the lifestyle of a Filipino student abroad. She underscored the importance of embracing independence, stressing that these young scholars would need to manage their own chores, schedules, and budgets. She firmly stated that these skills were vital for anyone aspiring to thrive in an international setting.
Aaron Dale Black, the owner and CEO of ZIP Travel, with operations in both the United States and the Philippines, commended Sr. Infante’s message. He expressed that her words encapsulated everything that Filipino students planning to undertake the J1 VISA program should know.
ZIP Travel Philippines, a subsidiary of Inner Outer Travel, Inc., established in 2009, has experienced remarkable growth since its inception in Southeast Asia. The organization attributes its success to its core principle of offering Filipino students intercultural opportunities for work, travel, and training with the utmost professionalism.
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed by Sr. Joan Brigida Corazon S. Infante, OSA, Mr. Aaron Dale Black, the Vice President for Research, Innovations, and Linkages at LCC Bacolod, Mr. Rodjhun Navarro, and the Dean of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Dr. Baniline Jone Abantao.
This momentous ceremony was witnessed by faculty members of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, students, and their parents, marking the beginning of a promising partnership that will undoubtedly open new doors for aspiring hospitality and tourism professionals at La Consolacion College Bacolod.