Makati, La Union lead tourism champion winners

THE City of Makati and the province of La Union lead the cast of achievers and tourism champions who were recognized during the Asian Institute of Management’s Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism’s (AIM-ALTCFT) first “Philippine Tourism Excellence Awards” held on Friday.

The awards event is part of the center’s 10th anniversary celebrations which aim to highlight the initiatives and achievements of some of its alumni and partners who are doing transformative and exemplary work in the Philippine Tourism industry.

Makati and La Union are the two awardees under the Good Local Governance category along with several other winners during the event’s gala night held at the Sheraton Manila Hotel in Newport City, Pasay.

Makati was recognized for its pioneering tourism programs which further strengthen the city’s position as a Smart and sustainable city with an established tourism value. This was started in 2019 when Makati key government officials and tourism officers trained under ATCFT’s “Designing and Developing Smart and Urban Tourism Program.”

On another note, La Union was cited for its efficient governance of tourism destinations and provincewide sustainable circuits as part of its “I Love La Union” tourism campaign. In addition, the province has now launched its first green tourism enterprises award to recognize the efforts of its tourism stakeholders in pursuing sustainability.

Other awardees recognized during the event were Catanduanes Supervising Tourism Officer Carmel Bonifacio-Garcia, Grassroots Travel founder Joselito “Boboi” Costas, and Ten Knots Development Corp. Director for Sustainability Mariglo Laririt, all receiving recognitions under the Sustainable Tourism category.

Meanwhile, Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park Protected Area Superintendent Angelique Songco and Masungi Georeserve Foundation co-founder Ann Adeline Dumaling were the winners under the Environment Conservation category.

“The anniversary’s theme, “A Decade of Pursuing Sustainable Tourism,” serves as an inspiration and as a challenge for all of us as it reminds us of the goal we continuously work to achieve — sustainable development,” AIM President and Dean Dr. Jikyeong Kang said. “As we gradually reopen our destinations, we hope that we still strive for the revival of tourism activities that emphasize this.”