University of Santo Tomas
The idea of forming an Institute was conceived by the Tourism and Hotel & Restaurant Management (HRM) Department during the late 1990s with the strong support and unwavering efforts of the College of Education. The need for establishing an Institute was realized by the two departments because of the fast-paced changes and growth of the industry that greatly influenced the tourism and hospitality education. Likewise, by merging the two programs, students would be able to specialize and dedicate themselves in enhancing their knowledge and skills that would respond to the demands of the industry. Series of departmental meetings and brainstorming were conducted with the vision of forming a new academic unit in the University.
The idea was presented to the Tourism and HRM Faculty until such time that the College of Education decided to merge the two programs by having one Department. In its initial stage, the Tourism and HRM Department was temporarily relocated at the College of Education’s Mini-Hotel in the year 2002. This was considered as a dry run to assess the viability of separating the department from the College of Education. Three years after, a formal proposal for the institutionalization was submitted to the Academic Council. A thorough procedure that includes meetings, deliberation, and election were carried out. The date April 28, 2006 made a mark for the Tourism and HRM Department of the University of Santo Tomas, the formal pronouncement of the institutionalization by the former Rector, Fr. Tamerlane R. Lana, O.P.
The elevation of the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (ITHM) to a collegiate status was approved by the Council of Regents dated November 19, 2008 and the Academic Senate by December 16, 2008. The Board of Trustees, in its meeting last January 20, 2009 approved the recommendation of the Council of Regents and Academic Senate to convert the ITHM to CTHM. After which, on March 12, 2009, the formal launching of the new academic unit of the University was held.
The Faculty currently offers the following four-year academic degree programs: Bachelor of Science in Travel Management (BS-TM), (formerly BS in Tourism) - The Travel Management Program covers the study of various components related to the travel and tour industry. It encompasses technical, practical and professional learning relevant to the different pillars of tourism such as tour and travel operations, transportation, accommodation, food and beverage, events management, allied services, entertainment and recreation, tourism research and education, tourism planning and development and other tourism services necessary for the formation of the students to become well rounded and high-spirited Tourism Professionals imbued with Christian ethics and virtues. Bachelor of Science in Hotel & Restaurant Management (BS-HRM) - The Hotel and Restaurant Management Curriculum provides a synthesis of different skills, concepts and principles specializing in hospitality training. It involves the study and application of practical and managerial knowledge and functions such as hotel and restaurant operations, culinary arts, food service, hospitality education and research that are essential in preparing the students to become adept future restaurateurs and hoteliers.