Manila: The Department of Tourism (DOT) launched the first Philippine Tourism Awards on Monday, honoring contributions of individuals and enterprises that have shaped the industry. Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the awardees "raised the standards" and showcased Filipino hospitality on the world stage.
According to Philippines News Agency, the DOT conferred Tourism Pillar Awards to 17 enterprises recognized for laying the foundation of Philippine tourism and sustaining excellence through decades of service. Thirty individual pioneers were celebrated for their contributions to the sector, with three receiving posthumous honors.
Special Pillar Excellence Awards were presented to Philippine Airlines, The Manila Hotel, the Philippine Travel Agencies Association, and the University of the Philippines Asian Institute of Tourism for their historic and transformative roles in advancing tourism.
The enterprises with tourism pillar awards include Marsman Drysdale Travel Inc., Rajah Travel Corporation, The Baron Travel Corporation, Baguio Country Club Corporation, Chali Resort and Conference Center, Mambukal Resort (Ishiwata Bath House), Embassy Hotel, Grand Astoria Hotel, Hotel del Rio (Premier Islands Management Corporation), Montebello Villa Hotel, Taal Vista Hotel, The Boac Hotel Mabuhay Accommodation, Apo View Hotel, Davao Insular Hotel Co. Inc. (Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao), De Luxe Hotel, and The VIP Hotel.
Meanwhile, the individuals with tourism pillar awards include Maria Cristina Lourdes Capistrano, Elizabeth dela Fuente, Dexter Deyto, Maria Lourdes 'Jing' Lagandaon, Maria Irene Lloren, Marisa Nallana, Lawrence Tan, Joji Ilagan-Bian, Mary Ann Montemayor, George Tapan, Alejandra 'Dading' Clemente, Macrina Ramos Fuentes, Alice Queblatin, Lourdes Sultan, Bienvenido Claravall, Cecilia Duran, Mary Ann Imbong, Danilo Navarra Montenejo, Ma. Dolores N. Salamanca, Pedro Young, Anthony De Leon, Arthur Lopez, and Adelfa Pace.
The DOT also honored three posthumous awardees - Josefa Imperial Aquino, Jaime 'Jimmy' Barrientos, and Yvette Lee - for their contributions to the tourism industry when they were still alive.
For the tourism industry awards, Pinas Sarap (GMA 7) received the travel show award, Lost Juan received the Tourism and Travel Vlog award, and Erwin Mascari±as received the Tourism Journalist award.
Southwest Tours Boracay, Inc, won under the Tourist Land Transport Operator category; Make A Difference For Social Tourism, Inc. under Tour Operator category; Marang-Marang Women's Association - Isabela De Basilan under Tourism Association category; Philippine International Convention Center, under MICE Venue category; Professional Organizers Unlimited, Inc. under MICE Organizer category; Dapdap Sunset Grill, under Homestay category; Puerto Pension Inn, under Mabuhay Accommodation category; Resort Baguio Country Club, under Resort category; Greenleaf Hotel Gensan, under Hotel category; Joseph Estrada, under Community Tour Guide category; Maria Lorena Guba under Regional Tour Guide category; and Shauna Indra Salina Curran under Tourism Frontliner category.
For the tourism product awards, The Farm at San Benito won under the Filipino Brand of Wellness Enterprise category; Real Great English Corp., under ESL School category; City of Cebu, under ESL Destination; Ephrathah Farms Corp. under Farm Tourism Enterprise category; and Ticao Island Dive and Resort under Dive Operator category.
City of Puerto Princesa received the Lakbay-Dagat Award (Cruise Destination); Municipality of Santa Cruz, Laguna (Ted's Kitchen) bagged the Salo-Salo Award (Food and Gastronomy Destination); Isabela de Basilan won the Pamana Award (Living Cultures Destination); City of Las Pi±as (Bamboo Organ Foundation, Inc. and the Parish of St. Joseph the Worker) got the Likha Award (Arts Destination); and the City of Manila (Quiapo Church and the Traslacion Route) received the Kalinaw Award (Faith-Based Destination).
Meanwhile, the Province of Camiguin (Mantigue Island) was recognized as the best Eco-Tourism Destination; Municipality of Bolinao for best Municipality Tourism Destination; City of Sipalay for best City Tourism; and Province of Bohol for best Province Tourism Destination.
The Tourism Industry Excellence Awards were given to Cebu Pacific Air and Megaworld Hotels and Resorts. Frasco told reporters on the sidelines of the awarding ceremony that the awardees were chosen through a rigorous process of nomination and selection. The judges included experts, consumers, and industry leaders from the public and the private sectors, she said.
