NINE tourism events and practices in Negros Occidental were among the 33 shortlisted entries nationwide and will advance to the final screening of this year’s Pearl Awards.
The annual search organized by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (Atop) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) has been recognizing exceptional practices, projects, and innovations in the Philippine tourism arena for the past ten years.
The nine qualifying entries from the province include Sagay City's Tourism Month for the Best Tourism Week/Month Celebration city category, and its Adlaw sa Suba for the Best Tourism Event sports category.
Sipalay City’s Tourism Month Celebration is also advancing for the Best Tourism Week/Month Celebration city category, along with Cadiz City.
Sipalay’s Kite Festival qualified for Best Tourism Event sports category.
Silay City’s Heritage Conservation Project qualified for Best Practices on Community-based Tourism.
For the provincial category, Negros Occidental is vying for the Best Tourism Week/Month Celebration and Best Tourism-Oriented Local Government Unit (LGU). Its Panaad sa Negros Festival 2015 is being considered as the Best Tourism Event.
“Two entries of the province are vying for the hall of fame award, or those entries declared as champion for three consecutive years, including the Best Tourism-Oriented LGU and the Best Tourism Week Celebration,” said Cristine Mansinares, supervising tourism operations officer of Negros Occidental.
Mansinares and Provincial Planning and Development Officer Ma. Lina Sanogal will represent the province during the panel interview and final screening at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in Intramuros, Manila on Thursday.
The winning entries will be awarded during the Atop Pearl Awards Night at Royce Hotel in Clarkfield, Pampanga this coming October 6.