ORMOC CITY – This city, led by City Mayor Lucy Torres Gomez, bagged three (3) awards during the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP)-Department of Tourism (DOT) Pearl Awards 2024 held at The Farm, Carpenter Hill in Koronadal City, South Cotabato on October 10, 2024.

Ormoc, accordingly, was hailed as the grand winner for Best Sports Tourism in the independent/component city category for hosting the Philippine Summer Ball Dancesport Championship. The city also won as the first runner-up for Best Practices for Community-Based Tourism for its ‘Chasing Eco-Tourism Dreams: From Mountains to Mangroves—Ormoc Tourism Leading the Economic Activity for Development and Sustainability (L.E.A.D.S.) Program’ for it demonstrates the city’s commitment to empowering the community and developing sustainable tourism. Finally, the city of beautiful people was also the second runner-up for Best Event Hosting for successfully hosting significant events that attracted attention and gathered visitors from other localities and stakeholders.

Accordingly, tourism is a vital catalyst for sustaining global peace while providing economic benefits to host communities. The Pearl Awards was hosted by ATOP in partnership with DOT, which celebrates the contributions of individuals and organizations to the country’s tourism industry. This year’s awarding ceremony was hosted by the Provincial Government of South Cotabato: “The Land of the Dreamweavers.” By Gwen Maurillo (EV Mail October 7-13, 2024 issue)