The Philippines has once again demonstrated
its status as one of Asia’s premier tourism destinations by clinching a total of eight recognitions at the 31st World Travel Awards (WTA). This is the first time
the country hosted the prestigious travel and tourism
awards gala ceremony
through the combined
efforts of the Department of
Tourism and its attached agency, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines.
During the Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony
2024 at the City of Dreams held on Tuesday (Sep. 3), the Philippines was
honored as Asia’s Leading Dive Destination for the sixth consecutive year since
2019, as it bagged the titles of Asia’s Leading Beach Destination and Asia’s
Leading Island Destination.
Some of the country’s top destinations also
took center stage at this year’s WTA, with
the historic Walled City of Intramuros recognized as Asia’s Leading Tourist
Attraction, while Boracay nailed the title of Asia’s Leading Luxury Island
Destination, and Cebu as Asia’s Leading Wedding Destination.
Meanwhile, a special award was given to DOT
Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco recognizing the tourism chief for her transformational leadership in tourism, citing her
“outstanding contributions to tourism governance” and “vision, tireless
dedication,
and the tangible impacts of her initiatives
have set a new benchmark in tourism leadership, not just in the Philippines but
across Asia and Oceania.”
“The past two years have
been a period of incredible growth and transformation for the Philippines.
Under the leadership of our President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, we have embarked
on a path of dynamic tourism development, investing heavily in infrastructure,
improving connectivity across our 7,641 islands, enhancing
the overall tourism
experience, and most importantly, investing in our greatest asset, our people. The Filipino people, with their
innate warmth, resilience, and passion, are at the heart of Philippine tourism. They
are the embodiment of the essence of our culture, the genuine smiles, the
unparalleled service, and the authentic experiences that leave a lasting
impression upon every traveler. We are committed to empowering our people with
the skills, the support, and the opportunities that they need to consistently
deliver world-class tourism experiences,” Secretary Frasco
said in her speech.
As may be recalled, Frasco has led a series
of innovative programs upon taking
the helm of the DOT as part of her shared commitment to President
Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s vision to transform the Philippines into a tourism
powerhouse in Asia.
“We have responded to the
challenges that we have faced with courage and innovation, harnessing the
strength of our culture and heritage
and turning them into
unique, unforgettable experiences. Through diversification, we are now expanding to new horizons, enhancing and expanding
our offerings beyond sun, sea, and sand to
include wellness and health, adventure, cruise, halal, cultural, and culinary
experiences,” the DOT chief added.
The Philippines also bagged the Asia’s Leading Marketing
Campaign 2024 award for
Love the Philippines campaign.
Last year, the Philippines also bagged several awards at the 30th WTA, including the first-ever Global Tourism Resilience
award, which the country proudly shared with four other nations.
Philippines cements competitiveness as MICE
destination
A display of world-class performances and
Filipino talent highlighted the WTA gala, attended by government officials,
industry leaders, and international media, and awardees from over 23 countries
across Asia and Oceania.
The event gave a glimpse to Manila's vibrant
metropolis, where business
and leisure travelers alike
are offered a preview of the rich tapestry of Philippine culture, history,
entertainment, and nightlife—from exploring the Walled City of Intramuros to
discovering artisan markets and Manila’s thriving arts scene.
In her speech, Secretary Frasco emphasized
the critical role tourism plays in the Philippines and affirmed the country’s
readiness to host more global events like the WTA.
“Tourism is not just a
driving force for our economy. It is a force for good for our country. The
sector has created millions of jobs for Filipinos and empowered our local
communities. We are determined to expanding tourism opportunities further
by focusing on quality and sustainable tourism, ensuring that every
visitor leaves with a
deeper appreciation for the beauty and diversity of our nation.
Today, the Philippines stands ready to host global events of all scales while
maintaining our local charm and authenticity. We are a nation that rises to
challenges, innovates with passion, and embraces every opportunity with
optimism, exerting every effort towards our country becoming a tourism
powerhouse in Asia,” the DOT chief
said.
As a response, WTA Founder Graham Cooke
shared an optimistic outlook on the global tourism industry. He said that in
the Philippines, the country is targeting to welcome 7.7 million international
visitors or near its pre-pandemic record in 2019.
“This would be nothing short
of an outstanding achievement, and it's a testament to the hard work,
resilience and the ambition of the Department of Tourism and the nation's
resurgent private sector,” Cooke said.
“So, a formal welcome to the
31st Annual World Travel Awards, I will formally acknowledge the importance of
the tourism sector to both regional and global economies, for making this
incredible evening possible,” the WTA
Founder added, expressing gratitude to the DOT, national government agencies, and
private sector partners, who made the Philippines’ successful hosting of the
WTA possible.
“I would also like to thank
again each and every one of you here this evening; you have been recognized by
our global voting audience as the leaders of tourism excellence. I know that
your commitment to becoming the very best will, in turn, serve to drive up the
standards across the industry and will raise the collective benchmark. It is
only by always striving to improve, to conduct our business better, with greater
customer care, compassion, and only by working together can we ensure that the
travel industry continues to develop and prosper,” he
added.
Established in 1993, the WTA aims to
acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism
industry. Today, it is regarded as the industry’s ultimate hallmark of quality,
with winners setting the benchmark to which all
others aspire.
Each year, WTA covers the globe with a series
of regional gala ceremonies staged
to recognize and celebrate individual and collective success within each
key geographical region.
The hosting of the gala ceremony in Manila
marked the fourth leg of WTA’s Grand Tour 2024, a global search
for the finest
travel and tourism
organizations covering six continents.
For more information on the WTA and
complete list of 2024 winners, please visit the official WTA website.
Post a Comment