Congratulations Vuong Thanh Tra, our KOTO Class 40 graduate!

As you may be aware, KOTO (Know One, Teach One) is one of our Corporate Social Responsibility partners, and THE-ICE sponsors individual trainees over their 2-year training journey with KOTO.

Our most recent success story is Vuong Thanh Tra of class 40 who graduated this year, supported by the sponsorship of THE-ICE. She celebrated her success at the KOTO Graduation and 25th Anniversary showcase. You can watch their highlight video, including a short appearance from Tra, by following this link.

Earlier this year, Tra undertook an internship at Vice Ocean Restaurant at the Hyatt Regency resort, where she was able to practice her learned skills in a professional environment. Tra was described as a highly independent and mature professional who demonstrated strong teamwork skills. She was able to practice leading her team and continues to focus on improving and building on these skills to ensure the success of any group she manages in the future.

Tra’s goal for the next 3 years is to become a leader and inspire young people to choose their own development paths regardless of their backgrounds and circumstances. We are proud to have supported her in her journey and of her success in the program and are committed to ensuring similar outcomes in the future as we continue our partnership with KOTO in the coming years. To learn more about KOTO and THE-ICE’s partnership click here.

Announcing the winners of THE-ICE GRM Challenge 2022!

THE-ICE is delighted to announce the winners of THE-ICE GRM Challenge 2022, our global student competition exclusively for students of THE-ICE accredited member institutions. Now in its second year, THE-ICE GRM Challenge brings together students and staff across our global network, providing an opportunity to engage and build international skills and experience.

THE-ICE GRM Challenge 2022 attracted more than 60 students representing 9 institutions, who were grouped into international and inter-institutional teams to compete in an innovative and exciting challenge that tested and developed their hospitality and tourism revenue management skills.

We wish to congratulate the winning teams in THE-ICE GRM Challenge 2022, who demonstrated significant skill and international collaboration. We are delighted to reward their achievements through the following prizes, generously supported by our Business Alliance Partners STR SHARE Center and Russell Partnership Technology:

1st Place – Team 10

Jeremiah Alroi Alba, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Philippines, Lindsey Kremer, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands, William Palma, Far Eastern University, Philippines, Stefanie, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore. With thanks to Staff Advisor Mr Piet Brouwer, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands.

All members of the team will receive an $1500 AUD bursary towards study offered by any member of THE-ICE, AND a free registration on the Certification in Advanced Hospitality and Tourism Industry Analytics (CAHTA) offered by STR SHARE Center AND a free registration on the Hospitality Business Acumen (HBA) Certificate programme offered by Russell Partnership Technology.

2nd Place – Team 9

Justene Kate Arevalo, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Philippines and Danica Beltran, Far Eastern University, Philippines

All members of the team will receive a free registration on the Certification in Advanced Hospitality and Tourism Industry Analytics (CAHTA) AND a free registration on the Hospitality Business Acumen (HBA) Certificate programme.

3rd Place – Team 15

Lyziel Alvarez, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Philippines and Angelica Calma Regio, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines. With thanks to Staff Advisor Mr Ryan Joseph Calinao, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Philippines.

All members of the team will receive a free registration on the Hospitality Business Acumen (HBA) Certificate programme.

Russell Partnership Technology has also prepared a video explaining the 2022 Challenge results, which can be viewed here.

Thank you to all staff who took part in THE-ICE GRM Challenge 2022, who made this Challenge possible for the students.

We look forward to launching the next GRM Challenge, which will take place in March 2023, at the end of this year and hope that you will take the Challenge once again!

Announcing the winners of THE-ICE GRM Challenge 2021!

THE-ICE is delighted to announce the winners of THE-ICE Global Revenue Management (GRM) Challenge 2021, our global student competition exclusively for students of THE-ICE accredited member institutions. THE-ICE GRM Challenge 2021 brought together students and staff across our global network, providing an opportunity to engage and build international skills and experience.

THE-ICE GRM Challenge 2021 attracted 55 students representing 10 institutions, who were grouped into international and inter-institutional teams to compete in an innovative and exciting challenge that tested and developed their hospitality and tourism revenue management skills.

We wish to congratulate the winning teams in THE-ICE GRM Challenge 2021, who demonstrated significant skill and international collaboration. We are delighted to reward their achievements through the following prizes, generously supported by our Business Alliance Partners, STR SHARE Center and Russell Partnership Technology:

1st Place – Team 7

Wafiy Fakhrul, William Angliss Institute, Australia, John Guile Cruz, Far Eastern University, Philippines, Thor Terenz T. Manuel, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines, and Divine Reyes, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Philippines. With thanks to Staff Advisors Dr Kijung Choi, William Angliss Institute Australia & Dr Anna Pamela Jonson, Far Eastern University, Philippines.

All members of the team will receive a $AUS1500 bursary towards study offered by any member of THE-ICE, AND a free registration on the Certification in Advanced Hospitality and Tourism Industry Analytics (CAHTA) offered by STR SHARE Center AND a free registration on the Hospitality Business Acumen (HBA) Certificate programme offered by Russell Partnership Technology.

2nd Place – Team 2

Adi Elenoa Draunidalo, University of the South Pacific, Fiji, Phongphisut Janphithak, Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand, Chayle Limjoco, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Philippines, Evelien Vlijm, Hotel Management School Maastricht, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands and Felicia Petrescu, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands. With thanks to Staff Advisors Dr Jocelyn Y Camalig, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Philippines & Ellen van der Spoel, NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands.

All members of the team will receive a free registration on the Certification in Advanced Hospitality and Tourism Industry Analytics (CAHTA) AND a free registration on the Hospitality Business Acumen (HBA) Certificate programme.

3rd Place – Team 9

Lorraine Dayle Laconsay, Far Eastern University, Philippines, Merle van Gansewinkel, Hotel Management School Maastricht, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands, Kane Ellisha Reyes, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines, and Jasmine Cruz, Lyceum of the Philippines University, Philippines. With thanks to Staff Advisors Luc Houben, Hotel Management School Maastricht, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands & Deborah Lim, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore.

All members of the team will receive a free registration on the Hospitality Business Acumen (HBA) Certificate programme.

Thank you to all staff who took part in THE-ICE GRM Challenge 2021, who made this Challenge possible for the students.

We look forward to announcing the next GRM Challenge in March 2022 and hope that you will take the Challenge!

THE-ICE launches new platform to support scholarship and quality

Representatives from 15 THE-ICE member institutions across 9 countries joined THE-ICE Webinar Series 16: THE-ICE Scholarship and Research to launch and explore a new platform to benefit THE-ICE members by supporting relevant research and scholarly activity.

On Thursday 18th August 2021 Dr Craig Thompson, CEO of THE-ICE, and Ms Jane Gentle, General Manager of THE-ICE, introduced the Tribe platform to THE-ICE network via webinar. To stimulate collaboration and enable the sharing of ideas and resources between members, THE-ICE has selected Tribe to create a space for members to share and discuss relevant research ideas, to seek assistance or possible collaborations for new or ongoing research projects, and to share relevant completed research.

Three (3) researchers from each member institution of THE-ICE will be invited to join the platform in its initial stage, building a community of practice for ideas and research specifically relevant to the vision of THE-ICE: to significantly and sustainably enhance the quality of higher education in tourism, hospitality, events, and culinary arts (TH&E) globally. THE-ICE is not seeking to replicate existing platforms, and the Tribe platform will only publish research related to this vision. This might include research on accreditation innovations, the development of quality systems, new course content, staff and professional development, student projects, and virtual or other alternative internships, among other relevant topics.

THE-ICE is a trusted network and Tribe will be a supportive place to share and celebrate successes, as well as providing access to top TH&E academics from around the world with a focus on collaboration, not competition. The platform is intended for all levels of research and should be accessible and useful for student and academic research alike. Dr Thompson added that a funded research topic, addressing a topical issue in TH&E education and with the outcomes to be shared with THE-ICE members, will also be launched next year alongside THE-ICE Research Grant Scheme.

Ms Jane Gentle conducted a live demonstration of Tribe , including interactions between the webinar presenters on the platform. The Tribe platform has a chronological feed, functions to search for key topics and explore popular posts, and a number of ‘Spaces’:

  • A space to share research papers
  • A space to seek data and information from THE-ICE network
  • A space to seek feedback on research ideas and to find possible collaborators

Dr Edmund Goh (Edith Cowan University, Australia) shared the experience of having his research, jointly conducted with Auditor of THE-ICE Professor Tom Baum and titled Job perceptions of Generation Z hotel employees towards working in Covid-19 quarantine hotels: the role of meaningful work, shared via Tribe. Dr Goh emphasised that this platform would remove some of the hierarchy and power distance between researchers, as well as allowing them to reach a targeted and invested audience of fellow TH&E academics.


The recording of the webinar can be accessed here

For information about upcoming webinars in THE-ICE Webinar Series, click here


THE-ICE members address internships and education in the ‘new normal’

More than 60 representatives from 19 institutions in 8 countries attended THE-ICE Webinar Series 14: Supporting Students in the ‘New Normal’ Era – evolving strategies for internship, teaching and learning. On Wednesday 16th June 2021, six (6) guest presentersfrom THE-ICE member network, including the first student presenter of THE-ICE Webinar Series, joined THE-ICE CEO Dr Craig Thompson to discuss the evolving strategies institutions are employing to support their students and adapt internships, learning and teaching in the ‘new normal’:

  • Ms Violeta Salonen, Senior Lecturer in Experience Management & Design, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland.
  • Dr Atty Gezzez Giezi G Granado, Dean of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Santo Tomas, Philippines.
  • Ms Elina Sperth, Account Manager Placement Office, Hotelschool The Hague, Netherlands.
  • Ms Jolanda Tufilli, Third-year Student, Hotelschool The Hague, Netherlands.
  • Dr Joy Sheelah Baraero-Era, Dean of the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management, Far Eastern University, Philippines.
  • Mr Dennis Petersen, Instructor Hospitality, Breda University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands.

Through the presentations and discussion, several key themes emerged:

  • Alternatives to a traditional internship
  • Evolving strategies for teaching online
  • Evolving strategies for learning online
  • Alternative assessment for practical education
  • Student support and wellbeing

Within these areas, the following key takeaways were highlighted:

Alternatives to a traditional internship

  • Academic alternative, comprising academic coursework, desk analysis, and/or an industry capstone programme, potentially with a research output.
  • Virtual entrepreneurial internship with partner entrepreneurs/mentors.
  • Virtual internship with industry partners (traditional internship format, executed online).
  • Internship with a virtual training provider (conducted through an external training provider, and often attracting additional costs for the students).
  • Virtual consultancy internship – teams of students acted as virtual consultants for hands-on projects, providing direct value to industry partners while also expanding their professional skills and network. In this format, students completed a range of assignments spanning corporate social responsibility, event management, business development, guest experience, and more.
  • Feedback, assessment, and evaluation are important aspects of any internship, whether in-person or digital.
  • Alumni networks can be an excellent resource, allowing institutions to connect with new industry partners and/or entrepreneurs.

Evolving strategies for teaching online

  • At most institutions, teaching and learning was moved online at short notice, and Zoom fatigue quickly set in for both students and teachers despite initial enthusiasm.
  • Group teaching and discussions.
  • Industry speakers and guest lectures.
  • Creating tour videos to introduce students to the practical education facilities, even when they are not able to learn in these spaces due to the pandemic.
  • Institutions are reconsidering what is offered in their curriculum, but also how it is offered to students.

Evolving strategies for learning online

  • Individual, paired, and group activities.
  • Collaborative research.
  • Watching documentaries and engaging in debate.
  • Virtual tours from industry partners of their facilities.
  • Participating in online competitions, creating teams with students from different courses and stages of their degree.
  • Mixed online learning, combining synchronous and asynchronous learning.
  • Total analog learning, for students who have low to no internet connectivity in their homes. I this scenario, the complete course module and manual was sent to students’ homes on a USB drive, to be returned once they had completed the course.

Alternative assessment for practical education

  • Auditing module, in which hospitality students acted as their own guests and wrote a review of their experiences.
  • Self-reflective videos created by students over the course of a module or unit, rather than incorporating reflection only in the final report.
  • Creating quizzes and designing online/digital activities for their peers.

Student support and wellbeing

  • Students and teachers working together to develop the best solutions for student support.
  • Assignment of a “buddy” at the beginning of a course, to provide study and personal peer support.

The recording of the webinar can be accessed here.

For information about upcoming webinars in THE-ICE COVID-19 webinar series, click here.


Recipients of THE-ICE Research Grant Scheme (RGS) 2021 announced!

THE-ICE is delighted to announce and congratulate the recipients of THE-ICE Research Grant Scheme 2021: 

  • Dr Ali Abdallah (Stenden Qatar University of Applied Sciences, Qatar) & Dr Chris Dutt (Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, United Arab Emirates) for their proposal titled Sustaining the Experience: exploring virtual experiences as an alternative to practical Tourism field trips during COVID-19
  • Bastienne Bernasco, MA, MSc (Saxion University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands) for her proposal titled Sustainable Food Systems in the curriculum of THE-ICE member institutions. 

THE-ICE was pleased to receive three times as many applications as for the inaugural RGS in 2019 and, as always, was impressed by the high calibre of research and ideas being produced within our member institutions and their networks. The outcomes of the RGS research projects will be presented at the International Panel of Experts (IPoE) Forum 2021, to be proudly hosted by University of Derby in Buxton, United Kingdom, with the theme Securing our Future – Exploring Sustainability in & of Tourism and Hospitality Education. 

THE-ICE Research Grant Scheme (RGS) was introduced in 2019 with the purpose of facilitating and promoting research by THE-ICE member institutions, supporting THE-ICE objective to enhance the quality of higher education in tourism, hospitality, events and culinary arts (TH&E).  


For information about THE-ICE Research Grant Scheme, click here