Enderun Colleges proudly joined Exceed Hospitality 2025, a one-day exhibition and conference organized by OLACON Events in partnership with the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, Inc. (ICCPI). Held at SMX Aura, the event gathered leaders, innovators, and aspiring professionals from the tourism and hospitality industries under the theme “Tourism Rewired. Hospitality Transformed.”
The conference opened with welcome remarks from Lorens Ziller, Executive Director of ICCPI, who emphasized the shared cultural warmth between Italy and the Philippines and the importance of growing tourism collaboration between the two nations.
Representing the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board Chief Operating Officer (COO) Maria Margarita Nograles delivered an inspiring keynote, underscoring the evolving mission of Philippine tourism: “Technology may shape how we work, but it’s our people, our warmth and empathy that define every journey. ‘Love the Philippines’ is more than a campaign; it’s a promise of genuine kindness and a true sense of home.”
Adding an international perspective, Hon. Amb. Davide Giglio, Ambassador of Italy to the Philippines, highlighted the growing synergy between the two countries’ tourism sectors, citing a record 35,000 Italian visitors to the Philippines in 2024.
One highlight of the event was the participation of Chef Thomas Wenger, Senior Vice President of Enderun Hotels and Senior Culinary Arts Lecturer at Enderun Colleges. Enderun Hotels serves as the management consultancy arm of Enderun Colleges, providing professional support and expertise to independently owned Filipino hotels. A Swiss-born culinary expert with a career spanning top establishments in Switzerland, New York, Australia, and Asia – including Mandarin Oriental Hotels – Chef Thomas delivered an impassioned message about the evolution of hospitality in the Philippines.
“We live in very exciting times,” he shared. “The Michelin Guide is going to be published next week, something I would have never imagined fifteen years ago. What makes Filipino hospitality special is authenticity. Our people’s warmth and smiles are world-renowned, and now, with formal education and innovation, our graduates are redefining the standard of service.”
Chef Thomas also underscored the importance of global academic collaboration in shaping the next generation of industry leaders.
“Ultimately, we now have schools associated with international partners – École Ducasse, in our case – which allows us to truly elevate hospitality education in the Philippines. We’ve upscaled not just the curriculum, but the mindset of our students, giving them the confidence and competence to compete globally.”
Exceed Hospitality 2025 proved that the future of hospitality is not just about innovation- it’s about people, meaningful stories, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that defines Filipino service on the world stage.
