I always consider it a big boost to our industry every time I hear of any of our tourism enterprises garnering prestigious awards from various organizations. These give us more confidence in offering our attractions and services to local and international visitors.
Here are a few I gathered lately.
Dumaguete City
The Panilongon Quincentennial Landmark, inspired by the galleon Victoria, flagship of Ferdinand Magellan, stands at the two-hectare reclaimed Pantawan People’s Park along the city’s scenic Rizal Boulevard. It recently copped the top award, Best Site Development of Quincentennial Historical Markers, as part of the country’s observance of the 500th anniversary of the Philippine Part of the First Circumnavigation of the World.
The contest was participated in by 32 local government units that host historical markers, where the expedition of Magellan and Elcano sailed through in 1521. There were 34 sites unveiled throughout the country by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and by the National Quincentennial Committee from March to October last year.
The winning marker was unveiled May 4 last year, marking the day when survivors of the Spanish expedition sailed to the waters of Negros Island after their defeat in Mactan in the hands of Lapulapu and the burning of their galleon, Concepcion, by the natives of Bohol. The recognition came with a P250,000 cash incentive for the city.
Dumaguete Mayor Felipe Antonio Remollo conceptualized the marker’s design and made sure the city government completed putting up the marker in two months, with 80 percent of materials used donated by civic-spirited residents of the city. This historical marker has now added to the charm of the picturesque Rizal Boulevard where the national hero once walked on leisurely afternoons while on a stopover from his exile in Dapitan.
World Trade Center Metro Manila
At the recent 2022 ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards held in Cambodia, our very own World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) won the MICE Venue Award in the Exhibition Category. MICE, the acronym for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions, refers to any event belonging to these categories.
The Awards is hosted by the 10 ASEAN member countries and is geared towards encouraging their respective MICE stakeholders to achieve sustainable tourism services.
The 26-year-old WTCMM is the leading MICE venue in the country and is a member of the New York-based World Trade Centers Association. It is the only exhibition venue in the country that is a member of the prestigious Union des Foires Internationales (UFI), a very exclusive global association of the MICE Industry.
WTCMM’s functional and well-designed exhibition halls and meeting rooms, its compliance with international and environmental standards, its shift to automated LED lights and motion sensors, its use of AHUs (air handling units) and energy recovery ventilators gave the establishment top points needed to win the award.
Of course, the facility also practices proper waste management, which includes toxic and chemical waste disposal, and the expert handling of noise pollution control which are also among the important criteria in determining the winner.
Conrad Manila
Even before it officially opened, this hotel has already reaped three prestigious awards from the Annual Philippine Property Awards – Best Hotel Development, Best Hotel Architectural Design, and Best Interior Design. No wonder it has become the favorite leisure destination of countless Metro Manila residents, this columnist included.
The hotel’s China Blue by Jeremy Leung recently welcomed the Chinese New Year of the Water Tiger with the traditional Yee Sang Prosperity Toss, colorful Nian Gao Treasures, and a well-curated menu masterfully crafted by Executive Chinese Chef Eng Yew Khor.
Amiable General Manager Linda Pecoraro is looking forward to celebrating “roaring” new beginnings with the hotel’s guests who have triumphed over the many seemingly. insurmountable challenges these past two years.
Patrons of the hotel’s famous China Blue by Jeremy Leung are invited to bring home a box of Nian Gao available in four mouthwatering flavors and beautifully presented in artistically designed boxes. Of course, the hotel prides itself on its “Hilton CleanStay,” the heightened standard of cleaning and disinfection that assures guests of an even cleaner and safer stay and dining experience.
With all these heartwarming events taking place, don’t you feel the energizing vibe of our Industry’s recovery well on its way?
For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com
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