DOT- CAR recognizes LGU, partners in tourism industry

BAGUIO CITY -- The Dept. of Tourism - Cordillera Regional Office honored regional tourism stakeholders particularly local government units and private sector for their contributions to advancement of the tourism industry in the region.

In recent awarding ceremony at the Baguio Country Club, former DOT-Cordillera Regional Director and now Tourism Promotions Board Chief Operating Officer Marie Venus Tan and DOT-CAR Officer in Charge Jovita Ganongan awarded plaques to local chief executives and tourism officers, as well as private individuals and groups in the tourism industry including accommodation establishments, travel and tour agencies, tour guides, tourism related establishments and corporate partners.

Among the LGUs recognized include the provincial government units of Benguet, Apayao, Ifugao, Kalinga and the city government units of Baguio and Tabuk.

               Municipal level awardees were Lagangilang in Abra; Kabayan, La Trinidad and Tuba in Benguet; Aguinaldo, Alfonso Lista, Banaue, Hungduan, Kiangan and Mayoyao in Ifugao; Pasil, Rizal, Tanudan and Tinglayan in Kalinga, and Bontoc in Mountain Province.

For the private sector, awards were given to more than 60 tourism establishments and organizations for their dedicated support to the thrust of the DOT in upholding quality standards and for being a DOT accredited establishment.

Ganongan said recognition of LGUs was based on their formulation of their Tourism Development Plans, the marketing and promotion initiatives to promote their destination and the community based tourism initiatives.

She said the awards were given to inspire other LGUs in the Cordillera particularly their local chief executives and officials to craft their tourism plans and implement it in their respective localities.

This is also for the officials to give priority to the tourism sector particularly the community- based tourism initiatives.

Tan commended awardees from the LGUs and the private sector for continuing to promote and support the DOT and the tourism industry in the Cordillera region.

 "We recognize everybody who made difference in travel and tourism across the spectrum of the industry in the Cordillera region," said Tan.