Ironman 70.3 grabs Sports Tourism awards for Cebu

The Asia Pacific Ironman 70.3 inspired event held in Cebu in 2017, resulted in grabbing four plum awards in the prestigious Philippine Sports Tourism Awards (PSTA) held in Savoy Hotel Manila last week.

The triathlon event won the International Event of the Year highlighting the City of Lapu-lapu, Province of Cebu and Department of Tourism Region 7 as partners under Sunrise Event, Inc. which won the Organizer of the Year (Private) title.

Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa, which played an important role in supporting one of Asia's top annual sporting event, walked away with the Hotel of the Year Award.

The PAGCOR sponsored PSTA, initiated by Selrahco since 2015, recognizes private and government entities and associations that have contributed to promoting tourism as well as developing sports by holding such events in the area.

Speaking on behalf the City of Lapu-lapu City and the Province of Cebu, Ms Princess Galura general manager of Sunrise Events, Inc expressed the joy of winning these awards.

"We are happy to be recognized and appreciated by this award. The Cebu Asia Pacific Ironman event has been acclaimed by Ironman itself as best organized event in its network and now this," said a beaming Princess.

Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific was also cited for Destination Marketing of the Year and Cobra Ironman for Event Sponsorship of the Year. Tabuelan 111 an event hosted by the Municipality of Tubuelan was also cited twice as Organizer of the Year (Government) and Domestic Event of the Year.

The PSTA was founded by well-known tourism figure, Charles Lim who in 2004, initiated the popular Sports Tourism Forum (STF). "Through the PSTA and STF we will continue to promote tourism through sports," expressed Lim.

"Every area in the archipelago is a sports tourism potential, " explained Lim, "be it diving, biking, hiking, surfing or other indoor sports. We are here to prepare them for that day."

Subic Bay won the Destination of the Year Award while City of Dumaguete was awarded Organizer of the Year (Government). Other awardees were: Event of the Year (Domestic) - Visit Davao Summer Festival; Destination Marketing of the Year - Cebu Pacific for its promotions of Siargao; National Sports Association of the Year - Philippine Football Federation for initiating the home and away Philippine Football League; Airline of the Year - Philippine Airlines; Event Sponsorship of the Year Century Tuna Ironman; Charity Event of the Year - Fundlife International.