THE provincial government, through the Negros Occidental Tourism Division (NOTD), has honored individuals, organizations, local government units (LGUs) and other stakeholders for their contribution in the development of the local tourism industry.
Now on its 10th edition, the Negros Occidental Tourism Excellence Awards awarded 31 recipients, who are “movers” of the programs and projects positioned to further bolster tourism as one major economic growth driver.
Department of Tourism (DOT) in Western Visayas Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Phoebe Zelic Areño, who spoke at the awarding rites held at the Provincial Capitol’s Social Hall in Bacolod City on Friday, September 21, said the regional line agency is grateful that everyone is taking part in the improvement and sustainability of the tourism industry especially of Negros Occidental and Western Visayas.
As she congratulated the awardees, Areño urged them to continue their hard work for tourism promotion and development.
DO-Western Visayas, is doing its best to preserve, develop and promote the tourism destinations, culture, as well as products locally produced in the region, she said.
“Let us all strive and help one another for the protection and sustainability of the tourism industry in order for the future generation and tourists to enjoy and experience,” the official added.
The province has given a special citation to senior tour guide Arturo Lacson, Philippine Lifesaving, and bloggers Lea Jean Gazo, Glady Reyes, Claire Algarme and Marianito Vito mainly for promoting tourism in their respective platform.
It also recognized partners in the academe namely VMA Global College, University of St. La Salle–Bacolod, Colegio San Agustin–Bacolod, La Consolacion College–Bacolod, and STI-West Negros University.
Special citation for best booths during the Provincial Tourism Fair was given to LGUs from Second, Third and Sixth Districts.
Jennylind Cordero, senior tourism operations officer, said the province continues to appreciate and acknowledge the efforts of tourism stakeholders.
Cordero said Negros Occidental continued the legacy of Region 6 in coming up with excellence awards. This has been a motivation and inspiration for LGUs and stakeholders in the province.
“We continue to give citations and recognition up to these days thus, we are now celebrating a decade of tourism excellence awards in Negros Occidental,” she added.
Other awardees are Binalbagan, Sagay City, Hinigaran, Bago City and Talisay City as top five contributing LGUs for day tourist arrival count in 2017.
For visitor arrival count in Negros Occidental last year, the province awarded Talisay City as the fifth place; Cadiz City, fourth place; Kabankalan City, third place; San Carlos City, second place; and Sipalay City as top contributing locality.
A special citation was awarded to San Carlos City for being a recipient of the Asean Clean Tourist City award while cities of Sagay and Sipalay were recognized for having been shortlisted in the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (Atop) Pearl Awards.
Another set of special citations were given to Teresa Alvarez of E.B. Magalona as tourism officer; Silay City for heritage tourism; and Cadiz City as Best Performing Tourism Office and as Tourism Oriented LGU.
For her part, Provincial Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Cristine Mansinares said the province is dedicating the awards to the recipients for their effort and support extended to the provincial government in running its tourism program and projects.
Mansinares also thanked them in carrying out the vision of the provincial development plan, as she urged continuous support from the tourism industry stakeholders.
“The provincial government is really prioritizing tourism as one of the economic drivers of the economy thus, we are collaborating with a lot of sectors,” she said, adding that other agencies like Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Agriculture, and National Economic and Development Authority, among others, are looking at tourism as one of the areas to incorporate in achieving also their respective objectives and goals.
The tourism excellence awards capped the 18th Negros Occidental Tourism Week celebration themed “Tourism and the Digital Transformation” which started in September 14.