Four Tourism Organization in Region 2 Recognized at 2019 ASEAN Tourism Forum
The Department of Tourism, Region 2 takes pride in the success of the four tourism organizations in the region after being recognized and awarded during the ASEAN Tourism Forum on January 18, 2019 held at the FLC Ha Long Golf Club, Vietnam.
For the second time now, the Palaui Environmental Protectors Association (PEPA) in Sta.Ana, Cagayan was again conferred the ASEAN Community- Based Sustainable Tourism Award 2019-2021. The ASEAN Community- Based Sustainable Tourism award is for the coordinated management of tourism products offered by communities under the organization of their committees.
Meanwhile, two homestay associations in the region received the award for ASEAN Homestay for this year: the Batanes Homestay Association (BAHOMAS) which received the same award in 2017 in Singapore, and the Cabarroguis Homestay Associationwhich shared the jubilation as they received for the first time the saidaccolade.
These homestay associations were honored with the awards for their efforts in increasing the quality of services, facilities and human capital in their homestay programs taking into consideration the needs, capability and cultural diversity of ASEAN Member States
Furthermore, the GnB Restaurant in Bagabag, Nueva Vizcaya also received the ASEAN Public Toilet Standard Award. The ASEAN Public Toilet Awards is an initiative of the ASEAN Tourism Standards Task Force to address the quality standard issues in public toilets – safety, cleanliness, maintenance, and accessibility to enhance the tourism experience
It is also noteworthy to mention that the Cagayan Valley and Northern Philippine Islands region has produced awardees in different categories of the ASEAN Tourism Standard Awards for the past years. In 2016, the Fundacion Pacita was presented the ASEAN Tourism Awards for Green Hotels and in 2017 the PEPA for the ASEAN Community Based Tourism Standard and BAHOMAS for the ASEAN Homestay.