The Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) is hosting its flagship learning and networking event in a bid to attract more hospitality professionals in the country.
Loleth So, HSMA president, in a press conference in Parañaque City on Thursday said the business process outsourcing and the cruise shipping industries are taking away jobs from the hospitality sector for higher salaries and the flexibility the jobs in these industries provide.
So said hotels have been having a hard time attracting talent after the pandemic since most candidates have found jobs in other industries when the borders were shut.
She said 80 percent of the employees in the hospitality industry are young but most require more training for soft skills like customer engagement.
She did not provide the number of workers in the sector but HSMA’s roster of members include more than 120 hotel and resort properties.
So said HSMA’s Sales and Marketing Summit Slated for June 19, 2025 at The Grand Ballroom of the City of Dreams Manila will have knowledge sharing sessions from the country’s top hospitality leaders and experts to address the evolving landscape of marketing and how it applies to current realities in the hospitality industry.
This year’s theme, “Leading the Shift: Redefining Hospitality Sales and Marketing for the Next Generation,” highlights the industry’s need to embrace innovation, sharpen commercial strategies, and build future-ready teams amid the rapidly changing tourism landscape, So added.
“The HSMA Summit is where industry leaders and rising stars come together to shape the future of Philippine tourism. The next generation of sales and marketing professionals must attend not just to learn, but to lead. This summit gives them the tools, insights, and inspiration they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world,” said So, who is also Group Commercial Director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts.
The one-day summit will feature keynote presentations, executive panels and specialized sessions covering critical topics including: the impact of government policies on hospitality businesses; channel management and distribution strategies; revenue optimization and Al-driven marketing; leadership development for the next generation of sales and marketing professionals and building meaningful industry relationships that drive conversions.
