TACLOBAN CITY – The city of Ormoc triumphed at the prestigious 2024 PEARL Awards of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP), winning three accolades during the 25th Silver National Convention hosted by the Provincial Government of South Cotabato on Thursday, October 10.
Ormoc City claimed the grand prize for best sports tourism in the independent/component city category for its successful hosting of the 2023 Philippine Summer Ball Dancesport Championship.
The city also earned first runner-up for best practices in community-based tourism for its program, “Chasing Eco-Tourism Dreams: From Mountains to Mangroves – Ormoc Tourism L.E.A.D.S. Program”, which focuses on sustainable tourism development and community empowerment.
Additionally, Ormoc was recognized as second runner-up in the best event hosting category for the Road to Blue Zone event, further showcasing the city’s ability to host high-impact events that draw attention from visitors and stakeholders alike.
This isn’t the first time Ormoc has received recognition from ATOP. Last year, the city garnered four awards, including the grand champion title for Best Local Event Hosting in the City Category.
The ATOP Pearl Awards honor local government units and tourism industry stakeholders for their best practices, innovations, and initiatives that contribute to the growth and promotion of the country’s tourism sector.
The awards are organized by tourism officers from various municipalities, cities, and provinces nationwide.
Categories for the ATOP Pearl Awards include best tourism souvenirs (non-food), best tourism month/week celebration, best practices in community-based tourism, best tourism promotions, best practices in sustainable tourism, best event hosting, most outstanding tourism officers organization, most outstanding tourism officers, best sports tourism event, best tourism event (festival), best institutionalized program for culture and the arts, and best tourism-related LGU.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
