Cebu City, Philippines - July 17, 2024
Atty. Gino Jacinto, the Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Operations & Business Development at UNAWA, delivered an informative presentation on July 17, 2024, at the Golden Prince Hotel. The event, hosted by StartUp Village, is part of the USAID Strengthening Private Enterprise for the Digital Economy (SPEED) activity, aimed at fostering digitalization in the hospitality industry.
The presentation, "Revolutionizing Hospitality: How Digital Signatures Enhance Hotel and Resort Experiences," covered the advantages of electronic signatures in tourism and hospitality. Atty. Jacinto highlighted how automation of routine tasks, such as reservations and billing, can significantly reduce manual errors and operational costs. Additionally, digital tools can enhance data-driven insights, allowing hotels to understand guest preferences better and tailor their services accordingly.
The audience, consisting of hotel and resort operators from Cebu, warmly received Atty. Jacinto's insights. Many attendees were eager to integrate digital solutions into their operations to boost efficiency and customer satisfaction. The session also emphasized the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) benefits, highlighting how digital solutions can support sustainable and future-proof business models.
The event started with opening remarks by Mr. Jerome Locson of USAID SPEED, followed by a welcome note from Maria Lester Ybañez, the Tourism Officer for the Province of Cebu. Various speakers, including Ms. Sarah Marco from NextPay and Mr. Herbert Dionzon from HiveRooms, presented on digital financial innovation and all-in-one property management solutions.
Attendees also participated in an onboarding workshop led by Mr. Gil Jayson Eleccion, COO of HiveRooms, and enjoyed networking opportunities during the fellowship session. The day concluded with closing remarks from Mr. Locson and a group photo to commemorate the event.
Atty. Jacinto's talk underscored the critical role of digital transformation in enhancing the hospitality industry's competitiveness. As the sector evolves, embracing electronic signatures and other innovations will be instrumental in attracting digitally savvy travelers.
UNAWA has previously attended several USAID SPEED events, including Manila and Victorias City sessions. Atty. Jacinto's presentations focused on the advantages of electronic signatures and secure digital transactions for SMEs. On Philippine Independence Day, UNAWA launched its two innovative products, SignSecure (with facial recognition) and UCheck. SignSecure facilitates legally binding electronic signatures, while UCheck streamlines background checks for AML compliance, demonstrating the company's commitment to digital transformation and business empowerment.
