Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism
The Asian Institute of Management – Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism (AIM-ALT CFT) is a leading research think tank dedicated to advancing the tourism sector in the Philippines and across Asia. We focus on three core areas: research, capacity-building, and events and networking.
Our research explores critical issues facing the tourism industry, including sustainability, inclusivity, policy development, and more. These insights are shared through events and fora, which serve as platforms for dialogue, collaboration, and knowledge exchange. The discussions and feedback from these events, along with our published research, are then integrated into our capacity-building programs to educate and empower tourism professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders.
Through this integrated approach, AIM-ALT CFT aims to drive the growth and sustainability of the tourism industry, promote cultural exchange, and foster economic and environmental stewardship.
Paving a Better Way for Tourism
Founded in 2012, the Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism is dedicated to empowering tourism stakeholders through a comprehensive approach of research, capacity-building, and networking events. With a vision of fostering sustainable and inclusive tourism development, the Center works to strengthen the tourism industry in the Philippines and across Asia.
The Center’s core objectives include:
- Supporting Policy Development and Research: Contributing to the development of tourism policies and strategic frameworks through cutting-edge research, publications, and the organization of discussions, seminars, and other platforms for knowledge-sharing.
- Enhancing Stakeholder Engagement and Empowerment: Empowering government agencies, private enterprises, and local communities through educational programs focused on management, strategic planning, and sustainability, while facilitating events and networking opportunities for collaboration.
- Cultivating Strategic Partnerships: Building partnerships with international organizations, government bodies, private sector players, academic institutions, and other key stakeholders to pioneer sustainable tourism practices across the region.
Center Program
Research
The Center undertakes interdisciplinary research in tourism with the goal of disseminating evidence-based information to its various stakeholders including those in the government, academic, private sector, and local communities.
Learn More
Capacity-building Program
The Center provides capacity-building programs to various tourism stakeholders to ensure the promotion of continuing education and lifelong learning across its concerned stakeholders.
Learn More
Events and Networking
The Center organizes conferences, fora, lectures, and other networking activities that facilitate relevant and up-to-date information exchange at the local and international levels.
Our Sustainable Tourism Program: AIM-EarthCheck Sustainability Academy
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 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
Sec. Jesli A. Lapus
AIM Trustee
Chairman
Eylla Laire M. Gutierrez, Ph.D.
Associate Director
+632 720-2100 ext. 2603
egutierrez@aim.edu
Ray Justin A. Villanueva
Program and Research Associate
+632 720-2100 ext. 2604
ravillanueva@aim.edu
Board of Advisors and Consultant
Board of Advisors
Sec. Jesli A. Lapus, CPA, MBA, DPA
Chairman, AIM Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism
Jikyeong Kang, Ph.D.
President, CEO, Dean and MVP Professor for Marketing, Asian Institute of Management
Mr. Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez
President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Travellers International Hotel Group Inc.
Maria Cherrylyn S. Rodolfo, Ph.D.
Tourism Consultant, Department of Tourism – Philippines
Consultant
John Paolo R. Rivera, Ph.D.
+632 720-2100 Ext. 2602
jrivera@aim.edu
