BACOLOD City – The province of Negros Occidental and its two cities received top recognitions in this year’s Pearl Awards of the 23rd National Convention of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) in Tagaytay City on Oct. 27.
Awarded grand champions were Negros Occidental for Best Tourism Promotion Publication; Sipalay City for Best Tourism Month Celebration; and Sagay City for the Sagay Marine Reserve First Eco-Tourism Loop Community-Based Enterprises.
Sagay City councilor Arthur Christopher Marañon, in a statement, emphasized
the northern Negros city’s efforts on sustainable tourism.
“We launched community-based eco-tourism enterprises to afford our community inclusive economic opportunities,” he added.
The Pearl Awards, presented by the Department of Tourism and ATOP, is the highest recognition program for the best tourism practices of local government units.
Negros Occidental was also recognized for the book “Halin sa Kusina: Food Stories from the People of Negros Occidental”.
For Best Tourism Gifts or Souvenirs, Sipalay City was first runner-up in the food category for its “Kasing-Kasing” souvenir bags and second runner-up in the non-food category for its “Paglaum” wood token.
Sagay City won first runner-up for Best in Tourism Brochure, and second runner-up for Best Program for Culture and the Arts for its Syano Artlink and Arts Month celebration.
For the Best Tourism Event-Festival Category (nature, worship, myths and legend), San Carlos City won first runner-up for its Pinta Flores Festival while Silay City was second runner-up for its Legend of Kansilay: A Festival on Animism. (PNA)/PN
