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Tinanggap ni Tourism Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano at Assistant Secretary Rica Bueno ang apat na awards ng Pilipinas mula sa World Travel Award sa seremonya na ginanap sa Dubai. Courtesy DOT Central Office
Ni Estong Reyes
INIHAYAG ng Department of Tourism (DOT) na nagwagi ang Pilipinas ng apat na major global recognition awards na dumagdag sa maraming listahan ng tourism awards na natanggap ng bansa sa taon.
Ngayong taon, nakatakda ang Pilipinas ng apat na parangal mula sa prestihjiyosong World Travel Awards 2023 na ginanap sa iconic Burj Al Arab sa Dubai, United Arab Emirates, kamakailan.
Sa unang pagkakataon, nabigyan ang Pilipinas ng Global Tourism Resilience Award sa pagpapakita ng “global leadership, pioneering vision, at innovation upang malampasan ang kritikal na hamon at adversity.
“Isa sa limang bansa at destinasyon sa buong mundo na kinilala sa inaugural awards, magsisilbi ang Pilipinas at iba pang “inaugural winners bilang benchmarks para sa pinakamahusay na pagkilos sa tourism resilience,” ayon sa World Travel Awards.
Naparangalan din ulit ang Pilipinas ng World’s Leading Dive Destination and World’s Leading Beach Destination, na naipagtanggol ang sariling titulo nito nong 2022. Sa unang pagkakataon, nagwagi ang Pilipinas bilang World’s Leading City Destination para sa Maynila.
Lubhang nagalak naman si Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco sa napagwagian ng Pilipinas sa World Travel Awards, sa pagsasabing: “We are elated and grateful that Philippine tourism continues to soar to global prominence with tourists declaring their love for the Philippines as the undisputed World’s Leading Beach Destination and World’s Leading Dive Destination, and now World’s Leading City Destination, Manila.”
“Receiving the Global Tourism Resilience Award is also especially meaningful as this is an affirmation of all the hard work done in the past year to strengthen the pillars of tourism development through convergence and collaboration towards the tourism transformation envisioned by our President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. These accolades are as much a source of Filipino pride as they are a testament to the enormous contribution of tourism to the Philippine economy and global standing,” ayon kay Secretary Frasco.
“With these remarkable triumphs, the Philippines reinforces its position as an unparalleled destination, inviting travelers to explore our captivating shores, vibrant underwater realms, and dynamic urban landscapes as they immerse in our culture and heritage, and create unforgettable memories with the distinct grace and hospitality of the Filipino people. We express our profound gratitude to all who have contributed to this success and we continue to dedicate our wholehearted support to all our tourism stakeholders,” dagdag niya.
Tinanggap ang parangal nina DOT Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano at Assistant Secretary Maria Rica Bueno na kapwa kumatawan sa tourism chief sa ginanap na awarding ceremony sa naturang bansa.
“The diversity, the opportunities with sustainability, the beautiful beach resorts, and now the diving [sic], amazing, the beaches, amazing. As I said, the main asset is the people, and that is something that a lot of countries in the world don’t have. And it’s the people of the Philippines that make your tourism assets the most amazing. The work ethic, the happiness, the smile, and the hospitality that the Philippines have are global icons,” paliwanag ng World Travel Awards President at Founder Graham Cooke, na personal na nagsabing kinagigiliwan nito ang Pilipinas at Filipino.
Itinayo noong 1993, layunin ng 30th annual World Travel Awards na kilalanin ang pagiging pinakamahusay sa lahat ng pangunahing sektor sa travel, turismo at hospitality industries.
