Ilocos Norte honors tourism stakeholders

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – The Ilocos Norte Tourism Office (INTO) recently held a Tourism Gala at the Fort Ilocandia Hotel and Resort here and duly recognized individuals and groups behind the growth and expansion of the booming tourism industry in the province.

Provincial tourism officer Ianree Raquel said that individuals and groups behind the growth and expansion of the tourism industry were honored and awarded for their efforts.

Awardees were nominated by local government units (LGU) and were screened by the Office of the Governor, INTO and the Association of Tourism Officers of Ilocos Norte.

Awardees were grouped into ten categories: Hotels and Hospitality, Travel and Tour Operators, Attractions, Local Products, Restaurants, Festivals and Events, Transportation, Tourism Education, Event Venues and Tour Guides.

Among those recognized under the Local Products category was 92-yearold national living treasure Magdalena Gamayo of Pinili.

She was awarded a Tourism Star for Abel (a local handloom-woven fabric) for “upholding the Filipino” weaving tradition in the Ilocos Region.

In the Festivals and Events category, Badoc’s La Virgen Milagrosa Bado-Badoc Festival was deemed the Outstanding Religious Festival.

La Milagrosa is the patron saint of Ilocos Norte, with the La Milagrosa Provincial Fiesta celebrated every May.

Criteria for the awards revolved around exemplary leadership in providing customer services and hospitability; boosting agriculture, cultural, and eco-tourism; promoting innovations of Ilocano cuisine and local products and generating revenue for the province.

Raquel said that he expects even stronger collaboration among stakeholders in coming years.

“May your innovation, leadership and commitment to the Ilocano brand of hospitality and tourism inspire others as we face more challenges brought about by our ever-growing industry,” Raquel said.