SMU Hospitality and Tourism Faculty Earn Guest Service Gold® Certification
Two faculty members from the Hospitality and Tourism Management Department of the School of Accountancy and Business, Saint Mary’s University, have successfully completed the internationally recognized Guest Service Gold® training and earned the Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP®) designation.
Mr. John Rey Piñera, Hospitality Management Instructor and Hotel In-charge, completed the Golden Opportunities training from February 25–27, 2026. Meanwhile, Miss Rowena Vennessa Gayagoy, Tourism Instructor, underwent the Tourism training from March 3–5, 2026. Both programs were conducted online via Zoom and facilitated by AsiaWorld Hospitality, the official partner of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).
The Guest Service Gold® program emphasizes seven key elements of service excellence, including recovery, personalization, knowledge, passion, commitment, inclusion, and personality. By earning the CGSP® designation, Piñera and Gayagoy join a global network of professionals recognized for their dedication to delivering exceptional guest experiences.
As instructors of the department, their achievement adds to their professional development and enriches the academic environment of Saint Mary’s University. The certification opens new perspectives on how the hospitality and tourism industry works, emphasizing that true service goes beyond satisfaction—it is about delighting guests.
This milestone also supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 4: Quality Education – Enhancing faculty expertise ensures students receive globally competitive training.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Strengthening professional skills contributes to a more resilient and service-oriented tourism workforce.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Promoting guest service excellence fosters inclusive and welcoming tourism environments.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaboration with AsiaWorld Hospitality and AHLEI highlights the importance of global partnerships in advancing education and industry standards.
The accomplishment of Piñera and Gayagoy underscores the department’s commitment to excellence in hospitality and tourism education, ensuring that students are guided by faculty who embody international standards of guest service while contributing to sustainable development goals.
Written by: Mr. John Rey C. Piñera, CGSP
HTM Faculty Member, GdB Hotel In-Charge
