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| (Image Source: Adobo Magazine) |
The Philippines has been officially hailed as the best leading beach and dive destination in Asia for the year 2020 in the 27th World Travel Awards. The award-giving body has also declared the Department Of Tourism (DOT) as the region's leading tourist board besting eleven other nominated countries. This is the country's fourth time to win Asia's Leading Beach Destination and second time to win Asia's Leading Dive Destination following a number of nominations for these categories since 2006. On the other hand, this is the second time for DOT to be recognized as Asia's Leading Tourist Board.
"We are truly honored and thankful for the accolades given to the Philippines at the 2020 World Travel Awards Asia. These recognitions are certainly an inspiration to the industry as we safely and gradually open our destinations for tourism. These would not be possible without the combined efforts from our tourism stakeholders, local government units, partner agencies, and our fellow Filipinos who have tirelessly promoted our country's attractions, products and culture," remarked DOT Secretary Hon. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
Recently, the DOT expressed its support for the gradual reopening of various tourism destinations in the country with health and safety as top priority due to the continuing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the destinations now open for local tourists are Baguio, Boracay, El Nido in Palawan, Ilocos Norte and several diving sites in the province of Batangas wherein strict and stringent health protocols are in place. Dive tourism has been recognized as one of the key areas in DOT's National Tourism Development Plan for 2016-2022 that can positively affect tourism growth in terms of increased visitor count, extended length of stay and higher tourism revenue among others.
Since 1993, the World Travel Awards has contributed to rising global tourism standards by recognizing the best brands and practices from the travel, tourism and hospitality industries in an annual series of gala awarding ceremonies being held per continent which will eventually cap off with a Grand Final Gala. The Philippines is nominated for the World's Leading Beach and Dive Destination for 2020 while the Department of Tourism is nominated for World's Leading Tourist Board for the said year. On the other hand, Siargao Island and Intramuros are also nominated for this year's World's Leading Island Destination and World's Leading Tourist Attraction, respectively.
