Former Tourism undersecretary Benito “Bong” Bengzon, Jr. is joining the Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) as its new Executive Director.
With his 35 years at the Department of Tourism, Bengzon brings with him his vast knowledge and experience in the tourism industry. During his stint in at DOT, he was involved in development planning, strategy formulation, bilateral negotiations, marketing, investments promotion, and product development. He also spearheaded the crafting of the Tourism Response and Recovery Plan and represented the DOT in various global and regional organizations including the ASEAN National Tourism Organizations, World Travel and Tourism Council, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, World Tourism Organization, and Pacific Asia Travel Association, among others.
Joining an organization that is closely associated with the tourism industry, his new role vows to make a meaningful and sustained contribution to the advocacy of PHOA. He also committed to help make PHOA the dominant voice representing private businesses in the accommodation sector, and foster adherence to the highest professional standards among the members.
He will also lead the association’s trainings which aim to upscale, empower, and further develop the skills and quality of service of hotel employees.
Meanwhile, PHOA president Arthur Lopez as he welcomed Bengzon’s new position in the association said, “We are confident that Mr. Bengzon will help PHOA and its hotel members in improving the quality of service that we provide.”
“We are glad that an experienced public servant has joined PHOA. I am sure that our association and the hotel industry stakeholders will be properly represented in all our public and private engagements,” he added.
Bengzon graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Administration. He earned his Masters in National Security Administration at the National Defense College of the Philippines. He also took up his Masters in Business Administration at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business.
As an advocate of continuous learning, he spent years as a part-time lecturer at UP Diliman Asian Institute of Tourism and College of Home Economics and at the Development Academy of the Philippines Graduate School of Public and Development Management.
PHOA is a non-profit, non-stock organization composed of owners of the country’s major accommodation providers including hotels, resorts, and service apartments. It represents the accommodation sector on matters of policies, laws, rules, and regulations, and other dealings with the government. PHOA has been protecting and promoting the common interests and concerns of members by pooling together talents and resources that advocate the development of the Philippine accommodation industry.
