12 Cebu, Bohol properties win Asean awards

Twelve hotels and resorts from Cebu and Bohol recently bagged the coveted Asean Tourism Standards Awards.

In a statement, the Department of Tourism (DOT) confirmed six properties from Cebu and Bohol were recognized as Asean Green Hotels while six Cebu accommodation establishments received recognition as meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions (Mice) venues under the hotel category for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

Recipients of the Asean Green Hotel awards are Amorita Resort, Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort, Bellevue Resort, Bohol Beach Club, Crimson Resort and Spa, and Pulchra Resort.

Asean Mice Venue awardees are Radisson Blu Hotel , Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino – Cebu, Shangri-la’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa, Bellevue Resort, and Quest Hotel and Conference Center.

In recent years, Cebu has hosted big-ticket events including meetings of Asean and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation officials and delegates.

“The recognition given solidifies their efforts in not only delivering quality tourism services that are at par with the Asean standards but also supports the vision of the Asean community in promoting sustainable tourism practices,” said DOT 7 Director Shalimar Hofer Tamano.

The Asean Tourism Standards Awards is an initiative of the 10 Asean member-countries to encourage stakeholders throughout the region to further improve standards in terms of sustainable tourism services. This is in line with the Asean vision of making the region globally competitive as a “quality single destination.”

According to Director Danilo Intong of the DOT-Office of Tourism Standards and Regulation, the recognition does not only promote sustainable tourism development but has also contributed significantly to the region’s tourism.

“It contributes a lot because a lot of people now are going green so they go for facilities with organic food, which have clean and natural ways of operating their facilities,” he said.

The Philippines is recognized in two award categories but Intong hopes more hotels and resorts will win awards in more categories.