The island province of Palawan has received recognition for being one, if not the number one, most beautiful island in the world throughout the years. It is also the home to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Tubbataha Reefs and Natural Park and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park.
Since the pandemic wreaked havoc, the tourism industry suffered greatly due to the shutting down of borders, strict travel requirements, and many more. And for these reasons, it is right that the DOT fetes the domestic tourism stakeholders and acknowledged for their struggles as they kept their head above water while they ride out the pandemic.
The Department of Tourism-MIMAROPA Regional Office recently held a virtual awarding of individuals, public and private stakeholders with different awards from different parts of the region.
With the theme of “Fame: Soar High and Radiate Amid a Pandemic,” 22 establishments were bestowed with the Safe Travels Stamp Certificate by the World Travel and Tourism Council for “their compliance to global health and safety protocols.”
Among the awardees in Culion is Sunlight Ecotourism Island Resort and Apulit Island Resort in Taytay, Palawan.
In Coron, Club Paradise, Tag Resort, Two Seasons Island Resort and Spa, and Coron Hiltop Resort were also recognized.
As well as Pangulasian Island Resort, Lagen Island Resort, Charlie’s El Nido, Miniloc Island Resort, Huni Lio, Casa Kalaw, Balai Adlao, Hotel Covo, and Seda Lio in El Nido.
While in Puerto Princesa City are Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort, Puerto Pension, White Breeze Palawan Boutique, Astoria Palawan, and Hue Hotels and Resorts.
Proprietor Jereline Calderon of Finesse Residencia in Puerto Galera and Tour Guide Jeffany Alvarez from Puerto Princesa City were awarded “best for success stories of stakeholders who survived and thrived” thanks to their participation on the Department of Tourism’s ‘high-impact webinars’.
Other individuals recognized during the MIMAROPA Tourism Appreciation and Recognition awarding were Arthur Cayanan, Hotel Centro Operations Manager, Ann Roxanne De Vera, San Jose Municipal Tourism Officer, Benjamin Pliquit of Julian Tourist Inn, Gloria Basconcillo of White Beach Resort Bar and Restaurant, and Mylene Grace Quilit of Sikatuna Town Hotel.
Banwa Private Island received the Private Island of the Year and Destination Deluxe Awardee for 2020, while Astoria Palawan received the ASEAN Tourism Standards Awardee for 2022.
Moreover, LGUs of Puerto Princesa City, El Nido, Coron, Puerto Galera, and Calapan City were given recognition for having the highest number of DOT accredited businesses.
The Department has conducted 45 trainings and accredited 703 enterprises in 2021, as stated by the former MIMAROPA Regional Director and Tourism Assistant Secretary Christopher Morales.
The DOT MIMAROPA Office had given out 785 accreditations and counting as the tourism industry restarts in the region.