CEBU bagged three awards in the first-ever Philippine Sports Tourism Award given last November 22 at Resorts World Manila.
Assistant Cebu Provincial administrator Ramil Abing said Cebu won as Event of the Year, international category, for hosting the Cebu Ironman 70.3 in 2015.
Cebu’s Tabuelan 111 was recognized as Event of the Year-Domestic category, for the town’s successful tri-event races held in celebration of Tabuelan town’s fiesta last year. Tabuelan Mayor Rex Gerona received the trophy.
Abing said Ironman 70.3’s campaign to make Cebu a global sports tourism destination won Cebu’s third award, the Destination Marketing of the Year award. Capitol Protocol officer Grace Paulino received the award in behalf of Capitol.
According to its website, the Philippine Sports Tourism award is organized by the Philippine Sports Commission, Department of Tourism (DOT), Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, and Selrahco Management.
The Awards attracted hundreds of nominations from across the country but only nine programs were distinguished for their efforts to develop and promote the Philippines as a sports tourism destination.
Aomng the winners was Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga,named the Sports Tourism Destination of the Year for hosting sports tourism events like racing competitions, car shows, frisbee games, and the widely-attended Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta that welcomed around 112,000 local and foreign visitors yearly.