San Carlos City among int’l Top 100 ‘responsible tourism’ destinations
BACOLOD City – The i nclusion of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental in the world’s 2018 Top 100 Sustainable Destinations i s an affirmation of i t s s u s t a i n a b l e t o u r i s m practices, its city tourism chief said.
Philip Gerard Maisog received the award during a ceremony held at the Lindenberg Home for the Arts i n Nijmegen i n The Netherlands on Sept. 27, World Tourism Day.
“We are happy and proud that the city’s sustainable practices received proper recognition,” Maisog said.
San Carlos City, which is headed by Mayor Gerardo Valmayor Jr., i s the only l ocal government unit ( LGU) i n the Philippines included on this year’s list.
The certificate awarded to San Carlos City, signed by Albert Salman, president of Sustainable Destinations Top 100 Selection Panel, stated that i t “has won a place among the 2018 Sustainable Destinations Top 100 i n recognition of its efforts towards responsible tourism and distinctive appeal.”
The Top 100 Sustainable Destinations website states that “San Carlos, a second- class component city i n Negros Occidental, has always been an advocate in clean and green practices.”
I t also describes San Carlos as having “natural resources ( which) includes an island with two barangays, p r o t e c t e d s e a s c a p e s , protected natural parks, numerous caves, waterfalls and beautiful landscapes.”
Sipaway, the island being r eferred t o, promotes community- based resource management and highlights community involvement in the protection of tourist spots.