LA TRINIDAD, Benguet (PIA) — The local government of La Trinidad celebrated Tourism Week 2024 highlighting its rich culture and heritage.
The municipal government launched the celebration on September 23, 2024 with Ambassador Elizabeth Buensuceso, the Eminent Person of the Philippines to the High-Level Task Force on the Post 2025 ASEAN Community Vision, as the guest of honor.
Buensuceso, with Department of Tourism-Cordillera Regional Director Jovita A. Ganongan and local officials led by Mayor Romeo Salda and Vice Mayor Roderick Awingan, led the ribbon cutting and formal opening ceremonies of this year’s celebration.
The officials also opened the tourism booths at the Municipal gym featuring the unique products and services of the different barangays, tourism establishments and other tourism stakeholders in the municipality.
In her keynote message, the Ambassador emphasized the role of tourism in fostering peace and understanding, and advocating for travel as a means to bridge cultural differences.
She encouraged community participation in the Tourism Week which aims to showcase La Trinidad’s contribution in tourism, and promote its economic potential, reinforcing the importance of tourism in building connections and fostering economic challenges.
Ganongan praised the municipality for strengthening tourism promotion and community-based tourism. She cited the Shilan Community of La Trinidad which bagged second place in the Search for Best Tourism Village 2024 with P500,000 cash price for tourism development.
She said that the Shilan Tourism Village is an example of effective rural tourism. It represents not just a dedication to agricultural products but also the rich cultural heritage that captivates tourists.
Councilor Belmer Elis, chairperson of the municipal council committee on tourism, said the municipal government has lined up various events for Tourism Week with the theme “Tourism and Peace” on Sept. 21-28, 2024.
Activities include the Jobs Fair at the municipal gymnasium that provided jobseekers the opportunity to land a gainful employment.
On Sept.24, the LGU hosted the lucky visitors in a visit to the various tourism sites through the tourism circuit promotions by the tour operators.
On Sept. 25, the LGU in partnership with the tourism operators, conducted a tour guiding forum. Also, the 2024 Mister Grand Philippines Cordillera presscon was held at Hotel Supreme.
A highlight of the celebration was the 2nd La Trinidad Tourism Awards on Sept. 27. This recognized the different tourism stakeholders such as establishments, advocates, guides, operators, tourism sites and other partners for their efforts in strengthening and improving the tourism industry in the municipality.
There was also the “Dance for Peace” showcasing cultural groups performing traditional and modern dances.
Capping the Tourism Week celebration was the coronation of winners of the 2024 Mister Grand Philippines Cordillera Pageant 2024, which La Trinidad hosted for the first time. (JDP/RMC with K. Moreno, N. Panis, K.Cabañero and Y. Morales, PIA CAR-SLU Interns)
