Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism
The Asian Institute of Management Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism (AIM-ALT CFT) is a distinguished research institution dedicated to advancing the tourism industry in the Philippines and beyond. Named after the esteemed philanthropist and visionary leader, the Center conducts advanced research on various aspects of tourism, including sustainable practices, destination management, and policy development.
Through its work, AIM-ALT CFT seeks to provide valuable insights and innovative solutions to support the growth and sustainability of the tourism sector, foster economic development, and promote cultural exchange and environmental conservation.
Paving a Better Way for Tourism
The Asian Institute of Management Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism (AIM-ALT CFT) is a distinguished research institution dedicated to advancing the tourism industry in the Philippines and beyond. Established in 2012, AIM-ALT CFT is envisioned to empower tourism stakeholders and industries through research, capacity-building, and networking activities. These activities were designed to promote a more sustainable and inclusive tourism development in the Philippines and in Asia.
The Center’s objectives include the following:
- Support policy development and research: Contribute to the existing body of knowledge and formulation of tourism policies and strategic directions through conducting research, publications; organizing discussions, seminars, and other knowledge-sharing platforms.
- Promotion of sustainable tourism practices: Equip tourism stakeholders with tools, knowledge, and best practices in implementing sustainable tourism initiatives aligned with the center’s principle – People, Planet, and Profit, and local and regional tourism development plans through its array of industry experts and partners.
- Enhance stakeholder engagement and empowerment: Empower tourism stakeholders – including government agencies, private enterprises, and local communities – by providing education and training on management, strategic planning, and sustainability, and holding relevant events and networking opportunities.
- Cultivate strategic partnerships with tourism stakeholders: Establish collaboration with international organizations, national and local government, private sector entities, academe, and related entities who share the same vision on pioneering sustainable tourism practices.
Our Sustainable Tourism Program: AIM-EarthCheck Sustainability Academy
You can gain access to cutting-edge research, training modules, and best practices in sustainable tourism management and environmental conservation. By integrating EarthCheck’s globally recognized standards and the Center’s expertise, this program empowers the tourism industry to achieve economic prosperity while minimizing its ecological footprint, ensuring a more responsible and resilient future for the tourism sector.
Redefining Sustainable Tourism – Implementing Sustainability in the Philippine Tourism and Hospitality Industry: An AIM-EarthCheck Sustainability Academy
After applying to the program, you will undergo online onboarding, where you will learn more about the program overview, what to expect, and the sustainability project that would craft. This will be facilitated by representatives from both AIM-ALT CFT and EarthCheck Research Institute.
The first phase of the program will be fully held online and facilitated by EarthCheck Research Institute through the Typsy platform. During this phase, you will complete EarthCheck’s curriculum on (a) sustainability 101, (b) sustainability management, and (c) sustainability and experience delivery. To complete this course, you will have to pass a quiz before moving on to the next phase.
In the second phase, you will be required to attend in-person classes facilitated by AIM. This part of the program focuses on the management application of the concepts discussed in the first phase. More specifically, you will learn about the (1) sustainable enterprise development, (2) stakeholder engagement and bridging leadership for sustainability, and (3) implementation, monitoring, and evaluation planning for sustainable tourism.
After the second phase, you will be expected to create a sustainability project proposal that benefits your organizations. With a successful plan and presentation, you will receive AIM-EarthCheck Certificates of Learning/Participation.
Interested individuals can apply to the program by contacting the AIM Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism to know more about the customizable program design, schedule, academic requirements, and administrative processes.
Our Publications
Our Center’s Benefactor
Dr. Andrew L. Tan is known for his significant contributions to the tourism and hospitality industry in the Philippines. Through his investment in high-profile, big-ticket tourism ventures, Dr. Tan helped make the country a tourism hotspot, ensuring that the Philippines did not get left behind in the realm of travel.
Aside from being a huge contributor to the country’s tourism industry, Dr. Tan is known for his successful companies. He is the Chairman of Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI) and Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., and the Chairman and CEO of Megaworld Corporation, one of the leading real estate developers in the Philippines.
About the Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism Team
John Paolo R. Rivera boasts a comprehensive research portfolio spanning the realms of macroeconomics, development economics, management, and tourism. His expertise is underscored by active participation in a spectrum of international and local academic and professional conferences, coupled with a prolific record of authoring scientific and technical publications, and teaching experience at the undergraduate, graduate, and executive levels. Not limited to academia, he is a subject matter expert engaged in development projects with private and public sectors at the local, international, and multilateral level. His academic credentials include a Doctor of Philosophy in Economics, a Master of Science in Economics, and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics (magna cum laude), all earned from De La Salle University School of Economics (Philippines). He was a visiting research fellow at the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (Japan) and is currently Officer-in-Charge (OIC) executive director of the Asian Institute of Management – Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism (Philippines).
John Paolo R. Rivera, Ph.D.
Officer in Charge (OIC) Executive Director / Associate Director
Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism
jrivera@aim.edu
Eylla Laire M. Gutierrez
Associate Director
Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism
egutierrez@aim.edu
Professor Eylla Laire M. Gutierrez is a development consultant and the program and research manager of the Asian Institute of Management’s Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism. She is also a fellow of the Ryoichi Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship (SYLFF) (Japan). She previously served as a subject matter expert on gender and sustainable tourism for the private and public sectors at the local, international, and multilateral level. She has completed her Master of Arts in Development Policy (under KAS scholarship) and BA International Studies major in European Studies (magna cum laude) at De La Salle University College of Liberal Arts (Philippines). She is completing her Doctor of Philosophy in Asia Pacific Studies at the Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (Japan). Her expertise includes sustainability, community development, gender studies, and tourism management.
Ray Justin A. Villanueva serves as the Program and Research Associate at the Asian Institute of Management – Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism. A summa cum laude graduate and College Valedictorian from the University of the Philippines – Diliman, he holds a degree in Economics with an informal minor in Tourism Management. During his undergraduate years, he was an active student leader, contributing to various fields such as career assistance and socio-academic initiatives. Justin’s research interests include tourism marketing and value chains, reimagining local tourism campaigns, evaluating community tourism policies, and promoting digitalization within the tourism industry.
Ray Justin A. Villanueva
Program and Research Associate
Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism
ravillanueva@aim.edu
