The country’s booming tourism industry took center stage as the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines (ATOP) feted the top tourism events and personalities in the DOT-ATOP Pearl Awards as part of its recent 17th National Convention at the Clark Special Economic Zone in Pampanga.
A collaboration between the Department of Tourism, the Tourism Promotions Board and ATOP—the national group of local tourism officers—the prestigious award seeks to encourage excellence in promoting the culture of tourism in provincial, city and municipal levels.
Awarded “Best Tourism Events for Sports, Adventure and Wellness” were La Union Surfing Break of La Union, the 16th National Scout Jamboree of Tagum City, Davao del Norte, and the Dolphin Watching and Bird Watching of Pulupandan, Negros Occidental.
In the Festival Category, Panaad Festival of Negros Occidental, Ibong Dayo of Balanga City and the “Kneeling Carabao Festival” of Pulilan, Bulacan, garnered top honors.
Negros Occidental, Sagay City (Negros Occidental) and Mogpog, Marinduque were named for the “Best Tourism Month/Week Celebrations.”
The province of Negros Occidental, the City of Tagum, and the Municipality of Palompon (Leyte), emerged as the “Best Tourism-Oriented Local Government Units.”
Voted as “Best Tourism Campaigns” were the Cave Conservation Program of Compostela Valley, and Kamustahang Turismo sa mga Barangay of Tabuk City (Kalinga). Moreover, Angeles City and Silay City (Negros Occidental) were cited for their heritage conservation projects which have preserved historic ancestral structures.
Palina Greenbelt Ecopark of Roxas City (Capiz) received a citation for “Best Practices in Community-Based Responsible Tourism.”
Named “Most Outstanding Tourism Officers” were Irene Magallon of Sta. Barbara (Iloilo), Arlene Ethel Odiem of Tabuk City, and Gilbert Marin of Iloilo Province, while Iloilo Tourism Officers Association (ITOA) was cited “Most Outstanding Tourism Officers Organization.”
The association also elected the new set of national officers led by Minda Vargas-Regis, provincial tourism head Lanao Del Norte, who will serve from 2017-2019. They were sworn to office by former President and now Pampanga Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
ATOP National President Alphonsus Tesoro said the three-day meet bore the theme “Tourism for All: Promoting Universal Accessibility” based on the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s thrust of providing accessibility for all to tourist facilities, products, and opportunities especially to persons with disability (PWDs).
Senator Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay, chairman of the Senate Committee on Tourism, was the keynote speaker of the event and talked on the “Legislative Programs and Agenda on Philippine Tourism.”
Other resource speakers included International School for Sustainable Tourism President Mina Gabor, Biodiversity Management Bureau Director Theresa Mundita Lim, and Amarela Resort President Lucas Nunag.
The delegates also toured Pampanga’s farm tourism spots, eco-tourism sites, museums, heritage spots, adventure parks, native crafts, tourism-related enterprises, and signature restaurants.
Hosting the community immersion were the local government units of Apalit, Arayat, Bacolor, Candaba, Guagua, Lubao, Macabebe, Magalang, Masantol, Mexico, Minalin, Porac, San Luis, San Simon, Sasmuan, Sta. Ana, Sta. Rita, Sto. Tomas and the cities of San Fernando, Mabalacat and Angeles.