PATA University of Girona EMTM Student Chapter: EMTM Industry and Alumni Day. Looking to the Future of Tourism: Next Steps

Sep 2

Girona, Spain, 2nd September 2022–On Friday, September 2nd, the University of Girona EMTM PATA student chapter, comprising the 2020-2022 cohort, hosted the official EMTM Industry and Alumni Day. The current cohort, next generation, honored staff, and guest speakers all engaged one another in dynamic sessions focused on the needs for technological innovation, sustainability and adapting in a post-COVID environment, and responsible tourism by all stakeholders. The event gained wide participation, hosting over 50 participants.

The event began with an introduction from the chapter’s co-vice president Theodora Dragomir. Our event then had the pleasure to welcome new PATA Youth Ambassador Eunkyu Chun in the form of a virtual video in which a topic overview was shared with our UdG PATA student chapter.

Next, a welcoming speech from Prof. Dr. Jaume Guia, EMTM Programme Director, Faculty of Tourism, UdG was given. The guests were provided an overview of the day’s schedule and instilled with excitement for the learning to come. The event would be broken up into two parts, starting with all gathering together to learn in one group, and then participating in separate workshops with a coffee break in between.

The first speaker, Paloma Zapata, CEO of Sustainable Travel International, started the event off. With 15 years of experience, her role in running the company is to maximize tourism’s contribution to environmental conservation and community well-being. A key focus is addressing climate change. Her speech addressed the first topic: "Let's watch our footprint": How to communicate/negotiate sustainability. Students engaged the speaker with questions related to carbon calculations and the best ways to address sustainability in a business environment where the economic pillar is typically favored over environmental and socio-cultural ones.

Afterwards, two simultaneous workshops were run by guest speakers: Victor Goitia Serra, Marketing Director at Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board (EMTM cohort 2016-2018), and Lucas Fernandez Estevez, Product Development Manager at Vox Group (EMTM cohort 2012-2014). Victor, as a self-declared tourism passionate, is committed to both promoting and experiencing tourism

With experience in tourism attractions, cultural and wine tours, destination marketing, cruise tourism, and tour operation, he was well equipped to address the second topic: “Putting our best foot forward”: Adaptation in post-COVID world. He engaged the guests with breakout groups, having each tackle a tourism sector and relevant "challenges" or "opportunities.

Our third speaker, Lucas, is an avid traveler with extensive international experience as well as tourism industry experience in the public and private sectors, including the Spanish Ministry of Tourism and hospitality and tours. He addressed the final topic of the day: "Stepping up our game": Technology and data in tourism businesses. His presentation engaged guests to consider their associations with digitalization, positive and negative, and better recognize how to bring their classroom learning into the tourism industry.

The event closed with celebratory energy as the current EMTM cohort shared their experiences with the next generation and alumni bestowed practical advice for next steps. With a courageous spirit, the 2020-2022 EMTM cohort prepared for their graduation and absorbed learning from the day's event to propel them into their next endeavors.

About PATA University of Girona EMTM Student Chapter

The focus of our chapter is the connection between academia and practice. Through the process of knowledge sharing and networking, we hope to create an impact in the tourism industry. We aim to investigate strategies and practices that students can follow so that their research could bring added value to the tourism industry (companies, DMOs, travelers, communities) as well as to themselves. Our objective is to connect public and private organizations for the sustainable development of the travel and tourism industry.

Learn more about PATA University of Girona EMTM Student Chapter