TAGBILARAN CITY — The Tourism Management Department of Bohol Island State University – Main Campus (BISU-MC) mounted a successful one-day Tourism and Hospitality Showdown on March 26, 2025, featuring a full slate of competitions aimed at showcasing students’ technical competence and industry readiness.

Held on campus, the event brought together tourism and hospitality management students across year levels to compete in various categories, including Tourism Quiz Bowl, Bartending and Flair Tending, Bohol Geopark Culinary Showdown, Flight Attendant (FA) Showmanship, Tour Guiding, and Bed Making. Each contest highlighted core competencies of the tourism and hospitality sector—from knowledge-based quizzes to hands-on service demonstrations.

The Tourism Quiz Bowl tested participants’ mastery of local and international tourism concepts, while the FA Showmanship demonstrated poise, safety procedure delivery, and in-flight service skills. The Bartending and Flair Tending competition combined mixology with showmanship, drawing attention with impressive bottle tricks and cocktail creations. The Bohol Geopark Culinary Showdown placed local ingredients and sustainable cooking in the spotlight, honoring the province’s rich culinary identity. Competitors in the Tour Guiding category simulated live tours with confidence and clarity, while the Bed Making contest displayed speed, precision, and attention to hotel standards.

At the awarding ceremony, top-performing students from each category were recognized for their outstanding performance. In her closing message, Ms. Lara Mariah Daling, Department Chairperson of BSTM, congratulated the students and underscored the importance of experiential learning in their academic journey. The Tourism and Hospitality Showdown forms part of BISU-MC’s continued efforts to align classroom learning with industry practice, equipping students with the necessary skills to thrive in the global tourism arena.

– written by Carlo Q. Marabiles