Baguio elevated to Asean Hall of Fame

BAGUIO CITY: This city clinched the Asean Clean Tourist City Standard Award for the third time, becoming the first city in the Philippines to make it to the Hall of Fame of the Asean Tourism Standards.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the distinction is the fruit of the joint efforts of the public and private sectors towards achieving the vision for a clean, orderly, safe and sustainable city.

A local delegation led by Councilor Lilia Fariñas and City Tourism Operations Officer Aloysius Mapalo received the award during the Asean Tourism Awarding Ceremonies as part of the activities of the Asean Tourism Forum held from January 22 to January 27 in Vientiane, Laos.

“This is the third consecutive time that Baguio received the accolade having been awarded in the same category for the assessment periods of 2018-2020, 2020-2022 and now for 2022-2024,” said Mapalo.

“Because of such feat, Baguio has the unique distinction of being the first and so far the only city in the country to be elevated as a hall of famer in the Asean Tourism Standards,” added Mapalo.

The award is given to cities that meet the Asean standards in the areas of environmental management, cleanliness, waste management, awareness-building on environmental protection and sustainability, green spaces, health safety and urban security and established tourism infrastructure and facilities with the effort to improve the quality of tourism, increase competitiveness and better conditions for the locals.

The other winners from Baguio City in the Asean Tourism Awards were the Forest Lodge at Camp John Hay (Asean Green Hotel Award), Cordillera Convention Hall by Baguio Country Club (Exhibition Venue category of the Asean Meeting, Incentive, Convention, Exhibition or MICE Venue Awards), and Infinity Garden by Baguio Country Club and CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center (Event Venue category of the MICE Venue Awards).