CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - In a bid to promote and further develop the tourism industry in the country, the United Stars Events and Exhibitions Corporation (USEEC) organized the first Philippine Tourism Industry Awards on November 7.
The Philippine Tourism Industry Awards is the first award-giving event for general tourism that will recognize individuals, organizations and business establishments with significant contributions to the overall tourism activities in the Philippines, said USEEC President Tommy Cruz, Jr.
Cruz said that at least 25 personalities and establishments will receive various awards from the 23 categories namely Best Travel Oriented Online Magazine, Best Historical Museum, Best in Special Interest Museum, Major Tour and Transport Operator, Best Theme Park, Best Water Park, Best Festival, Best Farm Tourism Destination, Best Wellness Tourism Destination, Most Innovative Travel Service Provider, Best Travel Oriented TV Show and TV Show Host, Best Cultural and EcoTourism Destination, Unique Destination, Best Resort, Hotel, and Travel Agency, Major Tourist Attraction, Most Outstanding Tour Guide and Lifetime Achievement Award for Accommodation.
“The Philippine Tourism Industry Award was born with our desire to celebrate the beauty and liveliness of the Philippine tourism and the industry that grows with it. We want to set an excellent standard in showcasing the country’s best tourism destinations, products, services and experience hence the high criteria for judging the nominees,” he said.
From the hundreds of nominees all over the Philippines, the finalists will be selected based on their legitimacy, meaning their businesses must be registered to the government, individuals and organizations must be affiliated with tourism associations, and must promote safety and security of tourists, Cruz noted.
He added that finalists will be selected by four identified jurors who represent different tourism associations and online votes from the netizens.
“We consulted the whole industry here and abroad as basis. Although this is our first year, we wanted to ensure that our standards our set and is anchored on our mission and vision which is to promote and develop tourism industry,” he said.
The awarding ceremony will be on November 7 at 6:00 p.m. in Okada Manila Hotel, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.
Best Special Interest Museum
Pampanga’s very own Clark Museum and 4D Theater located inside the Clark Freeport Zone in Mabalacat City emerged as one of the finalists in the first Philippine Tourism Industry Awards in the category of Best Special Interest Museum.
Out of dozens of special interest museums in the country, the Clark Museum and 4D Theater was listed as finalist together with D’ Bone Collector in Davao City, Galleria Taal Camera Museum in Batangas and Bencab Museum in Benguet.
The Clark Museum and 4D Theater is a local history museum showcasing diverse regional artifacts, true-to-life replicas, scenic dioramas, old photographs, murals and interactive displays among others significant to the history of Clark, Pampanga and surrounding areas, generally called Metro Clark.
The Museum tells of the Filipino spirit of bravery, industry and ingenuity of a nation's sovereign will running through a narrative across four galleries. It briefly tells a story, a bigger world from which Clark grew and speaks of social and economic advances, and continuing progress.
The Clark Museum and 4D Museum is the only tourism destination in Pampanga to reach the finals of Philippine Tourism Industry Awards 2017.