Quirino, Isabela, Santiago & Ilagan cities bag tourism awards
Local Government Units were recognized in the recently concluded Department of Tourism (DOT) and Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines’ (ATOP) Pearl Awards held in Paoay, Ilocos Norte on October 4, 2019.
Festivals from the region topped the three sub-categories of the Best Tourism Event and were proclaimed Champions after a serious deliberation from the members of the panel.
The Motorismo of the Province of Quirino for Best Sports Tourism Event, Bambanti festival of the Province of Isabela for Best Tourism Event as Thanksgiving for a Bountiful Event and Balamban Festival of Santiago City for Best Tourism Event as Nature Worship or Myths and Legends;
Meanwhile, the Province of Quirino placed as 3rd Runner Up for Best Tourism-Oriented, Province and Ilagan City as 2nd Runner Up for Best Tourism-Oriented City Local Government Unit.
Cauayan City Tourism Officer Maribel Dulin was also elected as Press Relations Officer for Luzon for ATOP 2019-2022 term.
Regional Director Virgilio Maguigad, Cagayan Valley Region Tourism Council Chairperson Ma. Olivia Pascual, Mayor Joseph Tan of Santiago City and the different Provincial, City and Municipal Tourism Officers graced the occasion and received the awards for their respective LGUs.
The Best Tourism Practices Awards was introduced in 2005 by the ATOP in partnership with the DOT. The DOT-ATOP is as an award-giving-body which honors the great efforts made by the people in the tourism industry most especially the Local Government Units.