In the dynamic and competitive world of the hospitality industry, no place in the world can stake a claim the way we Filipinos do – with natural cheerfulness, warmth, sincerity and care in the service of guests. All of these come naturally!
So beyond the best-polished marble floors, the rose-hinted scent of wooden panels and staircases, and the air of luxury breathed between sips of champagne and nibbles of caviar, plus the unparalleled sweet and sincere smiles and ministrations that cheered the heart, you can always count on the Filipinos being the face of Philippine culture and values, and the trait on which hotels of the five-star class are built in this country.
As one of the pioneers of providing world-class hospitality in the Philippines, Discovery Hospitality continues to develop and shape exceptional hoteliers. Thus, it prides itself on having many of the industry’s best and brightest to propel the proudly homegrown brand to where it is today. This is further proven by the many recognitions they received.
Just this year, Discovery Primea was hailed as the “Best Luxury Business Hotel” while Discovery Hospitality won the “Leading Hospitality Brand in the Philippines” and “Best Hospitality Services Provider” awards at the 2024 World Business Outlook Awards. Vice President and Head of Digital Marketing and Branding Blessy Townes was also named “Hospitality Digital Marketing Leader of the Year for Asia-Pacific” by the same award-giving body. Prior to that, Discovery Boracay and Discovery Coron were also at the 2024 World Travel Awards and the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024.
These accolades are proof that Discovery Hospitality is continuously setting the standard in the industry, making its respectable leaders the perfect models hospitality industry aspirants can look up to. Here’s how one succeeds in the hotel business:
Take it from someone like Mirriam Magpantay who has been with Discovery Hospitality for the last 25 years. She started as an Operations Supervisor and is now the Vice President and Head of Sales and Operations Administration.
Her advice to aspirants: “You have to have the passion and dedication in whatever it is that you do.” It’s also important to be agile and flexible in a constantly changing hotel landscape. Success, she notes, hinges on the ability to adapt to new challenges while maintaining a commitment to providing exceptional service.
Tenacity and continual self-improvement are highlighted by Blessy Townes, Vice President and Head of Digital Marketing and Branding. As the hospitality industry is in constant flux, resiliency and being on top of new trends and technologies are the keys to success. Townes also highlights the value of building a personal brand and nurturing relationships in the industry: “Don’t be mediocre. Be the best in your field… Networking can open doors to opportunities and insights you wouldn’t find otherwise.
Hospitality is about more than just service—it’s about making a lasting impact on both guests and staff according to Senior Vice President and Human Resources Head Didoy Fullon. Quoting Will Guidara, founder of hospitality agency, thank you, Fullon explains, “The moment you begin to pursue service from the lens of hospitality, you understand… you have the ability to make people’s lives better by creating a magical world they can escape to.” This philosophy is the driving force behind Discovery’s commitment to providing not only excellent service but also meaningful experiences.
A Partnership for Future Hospitality Leaders
Do you think you have what it takes to be a successful hotelier? Let Discovery Hospitality help pave the way to a bright future for you. In line with its mission to foster excellence in the industry, Discovery Hospitality has partnered with Enderun Colleges, the country’s top hospitality school with a wide range of collaborations with global hospitality brands, enabling its hospitality students to grab opportunities beyond the Philippine soil.
This partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement signed by Chief Operating Officer of Enderun Colleges Daniel Perez and Chief Operating Officer of Discovery Hospitality Corporation Jun Parreño, will provide four (4) grants of up to ₱100,000 each for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Operations Management with a specialization in Hospitality.
Starting January 2025, selected students will benefit from these grants and gain priority access to internships at some of the most prestigious properties under Discovery’s portfolio, including Discovery Boracay, Discovery Coron (formerly known as Club Paradise Palawan), Discovery Primea, and Discovery Suites. This hands-on experience will allow students to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings, preparing them to become future leaders in the hospitality industry.
This collaboration between Discovery Hospitality and Enderun Colleges underscores both institutions’ shared commitment to academic excellence and the professional development of future hospitality leaders.
