The Philippines is set to make history as it hosts the World Travel Awards (WTA) Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony for the first time. The prestigious event, organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT), will take place on September 3, 2024, at City of Dreams Manila.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco expressed her excitement, saying, “This event represents a significant milestone for our country under the Marcos administration and highlights the Philippines’ growing reputation as a premier destination for high-caliber international events. We are proud to showcase our world-class hospitality, superior event management, and exceptional tourism experiences. The gala will also serve as an excellent opportunity for networking with key tourism stakeholders from the region.”
The Philippines is competing in seven categories this year, including Asia’s Leading Beach Destination, Asia’s Leading Dive Destination, Asia’s Leading Island Destination, Intramuros as Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction, Boracay as Asia’s Leading Luxury Island Destination, Cebu as Asia’s Leading Wedding Destination, and the Department of Tourism as Asia’s Leading Tourist Board.
Frasco noted, “This hosting opportunity comes at a significant time. Each nomination reflects the unique and diverse offerings of our beautiful archipelago—from our pristine beaches and renowned dive sites to our vibrant culture and cuisine, and the innate warmth of the Filipino people.” She attributed the nominations to the collective efforts of the government and tourism stakeholders in promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism.
In addition to the WTA, the Philippines is also competing in three categories at the 23rd Annual Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, organized by the UK’s longest-running travel magazine, Wanderlust. The country is nominated for Most Desirable Country (Rest of the World), Cebu as Most Desirable Region (Rest of the World), and Palawan as Most Desirable Island (Rest of the World). Subcategories include Adventure, Nature and Wildlife, Culture and Heritage, Gastronomy, and Sustainability.
The Philippines is also recognized in three categories for the 2024 International Travel Awards, which honors top-performing tourism and hospitality companies. The nominations are for Best Beach, Best Island Destination, and Best Wedding Destination.
Furthermore, the DOT has received nominations in the Asia Best of Best Awards for Best in Service – Customer Support, Best Marketing Campaign, and Frasco as Best Woman Leader.
Frasco concluded, “The Philippines’ natural beauty and the warmth of its people make tourism a natural endeavor. Our goal is to go beyond visitor arrivals and focus on generating tourism revenues that provide livelihoods, improve infrastructure, enhance connectivity, and preserve our heritage. These nominations inspire us to continue striving for excellence in our mission.”
