Careers in tourism and hospitality rarely follow a straight line. For John Paul Reyes, the path to leadership did not begin in hotels or classrooms—it started in the corporate world of BPO, sales, and marketing, where targets were unforgiving and results were measured daily.
Today, Reyes is a Certified Hospitality Professional (CHP) and an educator shaping future tourism professionals. Looking back, he sees a clear connection between his past and present. What once seemed like unrelated career chapters became the foundation of his leadership style.
“Use your past experiences to create future opportunities,” he recalls being told. That advice stayed with him—and ultimately reframed how he viewed his career shift.
Learning that service starts with communication
Working in BPO and sales trained Reyes in skills that later proved essential in tourism and hospitality. Strong communication, adaptability, and cultural awareness were not optional—they were survival skills.
“The tourism and hospitality industry thrives on customer service,” he explains. “Being able to communicate clearly and respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds is vital.”
Negotiation, persuasion, and handling objections—once tools for closing deals—became tools for managing expectations, resolving concerns, and building trust. Over time, he realized that service excellence and sales shared the same core: understanding people.
Staying competitive by refusing to stop learning
Tourism is a fast-changing industry, and Reyes knew that standing still was not an option. He committed to continuous learning—not just through seminars and research, but by staying connected to real-world practice.
“I stay competitive by continuously learning and updating myself with industry trends,” he says. “The tourism industry is fast-changing, so I attend seminars, explore research, and engage in discussions with fellow educators and industry practitioners.”
Earning his Certified Hospitality Professional designation reinforced that mindset. Certification was not about credentials alone—it was about staying relevant and credible in a people-driven industry.
From corporate targets to long-term impact
The most significant pivot in Reyes’s career came when he left the corporate world for the academe. The shift was not easy.
“In corporate work, everything is fast-paced and target-driven,” he says. “In teaching, patience, mentorship, and long-term impact matter more.”
At first, he had to unlearn the expectation of instant results. Success in education unfolded slowly—measured in student growth rather than sales numbers. What made the transition rewarding was seeing his past experience take on new meaning.
“Nothing I learned in BPO or sales went to waste,” he explains. “Those experiences gave me transferable skills that I now share with my students.”
What really makes professionals stand out
Through years in both industry and education, Reyes observed a consistent pattern. Technical skills matter—but they are never enough on their own.
“A standout candidate is someone who demonstrates professionalism, adaptability, and genuine passion for service,” he says. Employers look for people who can work under pressure, communicate effectively, and navigate multicultural environments with integrity.
Resilience, creativity, and attitude often determine who grows and who stalls. “Skills can be taught, but the right mindset sets people apart,” he notes.
Leadership shaped by empathy and accountability
Reyes’s leadership philosophy reflects lessons learned on the sales floor and in the classroom. He believes the most critical leadership traits today are empathy, adaptability, and accountability.
“In service industries, leaders must understand both the needs of customers and employees,” he explains. “When leaders take responsibility, it sets the tone for the entire team.”
Handling conflict, he says, is about listening before reacting. “Often, people just need to feel heard,” he adds. Focusing on solutions rather than blame creates space for growth rather than resentment.
Leading by example, not authority
Whether managing teams or guiding students, Reyes believes inspiration comes from consistency.
“People follow leaders who walk the talk,” he says. Recognizing effort—even small wins—helps motivate others to go beyond what is required.
Over time, his management style evolved from being results-driven to more coaching-oriented. “People perform best when they feel supported,” he reflects. Empowerment, not control, became the cornerstone of his leadership.
Balancing goals with well-being
One of the hardest lessons Reyes learned was the importance of balancing performance with well-being. Tourism and hospitality are service-driven, but burnout is real.
“The key is open communication and realistic expectations,” he says. When people feel valued and supported, productivity follows naturally.
The toughest leadership decision he faced—demoting group members who were not fulfilling their roles—reinforced the weight of accountability. “It was difficult,” he admits, “but leadership means making decisions that protect the team as a whole.”
Turning experience into advantage
Looking back, Reyes sees his career not as a series of detours, but as a deliberate accumulation of skills. Sales taught him persuasion. BPO taught him empathy under pressure. Education taught him patience and purpose.
His journey offers a clear takeaway: careers are rarely wasted if lessons are carried forward. In a people-first industry like tourism and hospitality, the ability to translate experience into service leadership is what truly sets professionals apart.
And sometimes, the most valuable advantage is not where you started—but how much you learned along the way.
