FOR the second time, Bojo, Aloguisan was named one of the Top 100 Sustainable Destinations for 2017 by Green Destinations.
Two other Philippine destinations that made it to the list were Lake Holon in Tboli and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato. For the third time, the list was unveiled last Wednesday during the World Tourism Day.
Carlo Suarez, president of Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) said Aloguinsan’s global recognition is a welcome development, especially at a time where the country is facing safety and security issues.
“Despite the safety and security issues, we continue to emerge victorious around the globe. This recognition is one that we are proud of. Kudos, Aloguinsan!” said Suarez.
Bojo, Aloguinsan is a fishing village in the Midwest of Cebu which is within the biggest protected marine area in the Philippines.
The destination puts effort in protecting nature by implementing various projects, such as mangrove preservation and restoration projects. It also developed the ecotourism and the local community initiative the Bojo River Cruise, which received an award for Best Community-based Tourism Initiative in Asia-Pacific in the 2015 UN Tourism Inspire Awards.
“It is a well-deserved recognition,” said DOT 7 Director Joshur Judd Llanete III, noting that the community consciously sustained its efforts to manage the Bojo River and its environment, and operate its ecotourism enterprise.
“It contuinues to be a model (for) community-based ecotourism. It has changed and improved the lives of its members and is an inspiration for so many other communities and local government units (LGUs),” the tourism official said.
Cebu Provincial Tourism Officer Joselito “Boboi” Costas, in a Facebook post, said 15 core criteria were used in selecting 2017 Global Top 100 Sustainable Destinations.
“This prestigious selection keeps getting harder every year but the support of individuals and groups is what makes the victory sweet! Congratulations, Aloguinsan!” said Costas.
The Sustainable Destinations Top 100 competition aims to highlight success stories in destination management and exchange good practices between destinations. The selection involves a formal nomination by destination ambassadors and evaluation by a panel of 100 international experts.
Over 150 nominations were received. All nominations were evaluated by experts of the Green Destinations Top 100 Team and by members of the special Top 100 Selection Panel, that included 60 tourism sustainability experts.