CEBU CITY, Cebu (PIA) – A total of 67 nominees from Central Visayas were recognized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 7 for the Philippine Tourism Awards (PTA) on Sept. 28 at the SM Seaside, Cebu City.
The nominees are set to compete for the national awards.
During the event, DOT-7 regional director Judy Dela Cruz welcomed the nominees and guests from the various tourism industries.
“The event is the country’s highest recognition for tourism excellence, celebrating individuals, corporate entities, and local government units (LGUs) for their exceptional contributions to promoting and developing the tourism industry,” said Gabato.
She added that It aims to honor those who have significantly contributed to the growth of the tourism sector and encourage innovation, competitiveness, and the renowned Filipino hospitality, positioning the Philippines as a global tourism destination.
Also present during the event to deliver their messages of support were Hotel, Resort, and Restaurant Association of Cebu vice president Josef Victor Chiongbian, Bohol Association of Hotels, Resorts, and Restaurants Vice President Andrew Fernandez, and president of Cebu Alliance of Tour Operators Specialists Alice Queblatin.
This year’s awards also celebrated 50 years of the DOT, with a special category called the Tourism Pillar Awards, Tourism Industry Awards, Institutional Awards, Individual Awards, Media Awards and The Tourism Product Awards.
This year’s regional nominees from Central Visayas include the following individuals and organizations:
Tourism Pillar Awards for Enterprise:
Bohol Beach Club
Tourism Pillar Awards for Individual:
Alice Queblatin
Atty. Lucas Nunag
Lourdes Sultan
Carmelita Joven Dejaresco
Danilo Navarra Montenejo
Yolanda Wong
Tourism Industry Individual Nominees ESL of the Year:
Teodorico Jimenez
Mary Grace Melendres
Ma. Lorena Guba
Josefina Larena
Tour Guide of the Year:
Mary Grace Melendres
Maria Lorena Guba
Tourism Journalist of the Year:
Niña Mae Oliverio
Morexette Maria Erram
Jessa Ngojo
Rashe Zoe Sophia Piquero
Emmariel Ares
Tourism Journalist of the Year (Media Outlet):
The Freeman
Tourism Land Transport of the Year:
Himaya Tours Corporation
Tourism Destination of the Year:
Municipality of Loboc, Bohol
Cebu Province
Bohol Province
Dive Destination of the Year:
Municipality of Panglao
Municipality of Moalboal
Balicasag Island, Bohol
Ecotourism Destination of the Year:
Bohol Province
Bojo River, Badian Kawasan Canyoneering Adventures
Municipality of Mabinay
Tourism Association of the Year:
Bohol Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS)
Eco-Tourism Association Food and Gastronomy Tourism Destination of the Year:
House of Lechon Tagbilaran
Fili Hotel NUSTAR
Resort of the Year:
Kandaya Resort
Resort Star Rated of the Year:
The Bellevue Resort
Jpark Island Resort
Waterpark Mactan Cebu
Shangri-La Mactan Cebu
Hotel of the Year:
Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown
Radisson Blu Hotel
Quest Hotel & Conference Center – Cebu
Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan
Kew Hotel
Hotel Star Rated of the Year:
Bai Hotel
Cebu Homestay of the Year:
Dapdap Sunset Grill
Apartelle (Apartment) Hotel of the Year:
Alicia Apartelle
MICE Venue of the Year:
Radisson Blu Hotel
Jpark Island Resort
Waterpark Mactan Cebu
Faith-Based Tourism Destination of the Year:
Bohol Province
Filipino Brand of Wellness Enterprise of the Year:
Chi Spa
Shangri-La Mactan Cebu
Almont Amuma Spa
Farm Tourism Enterprise of the Year:
Lamac Multipurpose Cooperative
ESL School of the Year:
Real Great English
Fluent English Corp.
Premier International Language Studies
Global Language Cebu
ESL Destination of the Year:
Cebu City
Cooperative ESL of the Year:
Executive Village Tutorial of Fluent English Corp.
Center for Premier International Language Studies
Global Language
Diver Operator of the Year:
Emerald Green Diving
Club Aquasports Inc.
Bongo-Bongo Divers
Living Cultures Destination of the Year:
Lapu-Lapu City
The Philippine Tourism Awards not only highlights the contributions of these individuals and enterprises but also strengthens the tourism industry’s role as an economic driver in the Philippines, fostering innovation and excellence across the nation. (HFG/PIA7)
