NAGA CITY---Some 46 owners of hotels, restaurants and resorts in Bicol are set to hold today the year-end convention at the Macagang Business Center in San Antonio, Nabua, Camarines Sur with the aim of devising strategies to produce a more competent service at par with international tourism standards.

        Launched on February 8, 2008, the owners of these service establishments were organized into Hotel Restaurant and Resort Association of Bicol (HRRAB) at the Avenue Convention Plaza in Magsaysay Ave. here with its first president in the person of Lawrence Tan. The activity had for its theme Hello---“Bicol” (Unidad para sa Turismo).

        But on April 28, 2008, Tan left for Manila and Florencio P. Regala owner of Macagang Business Center took over the presidency.

        “We formed our association to represent the common interest of the members in the hospitality industry in an ethical and professional manner; and to help uplift the Bicol region hospitality industry and raise its standards to international tourism,” Regala said.

        He said that at present the HRRAB has 45 paid active members who are entrepreneurs, owners and managers in hospitality business in Albay, the two Camarines provinces, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon whose establishments provide hundreds of jobs in the Bicol.

        “Our by-laws and incorporation documents have been completed and turned over to a corporate lawyer for review and filing at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Our growing pain is behind us now. There are more challenges ahead but we shall overcome, so to speak,” Regala revealed.

        He commended the officers and members of the HRRAB for the help, dedication, positive attitude and by going extra miles with their best efforts to ensure the success of the year-end convention, he added.

        The HRRAB Year-End Convention adopts the theme---“Preparing Our Youth for the Future” that Regala explained to be a fitting tribute to the leaders of this country.

        To grace the HRRAB event is Narzalina Z. Lim, former secretary of the Department of Tourism, who will deliver the keynote speech. Other personalities attending the year-end convention include Mayor Fer Simbulan of this town, Danny de Leon, chairman of the Bicol Regional Tourism Council, and Manuel A. Alcuaz Jr., president of Systems Sciences.