The Philippines will host for the first time-ever on Tuesday, 3 September, the prestigious World Travel Awards Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony, a milestone for the country’s tourism push. The gala will be held at the City of Dreams Manila.
“This historic event under the Marcos administration not only highlights the Philippines’ growing prominence as a top MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination but also showcases our capability to host world-class international events,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco. She emphasized that the gala would provide a valuable platform for networking with various tourism stakeholders in the region.
The Philippines is also competing for seven awards at this year’s WTA.
The country is vying for Asia’s Leading Beach Destination, Asia’s Leading Dive Destination, Asia’s Leading Island Destination, and Intramuros as Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction. Additionally, Boracay is nominated for Asia’s Leading Luxury Island Destination, Cebu for Asia’s Leading Wedding Destination, and the Department of Tourism itself for Asia’s Leading Tourist Board.
“These nominations come at a significant time,” Frasco noted. “They reflect the unique and diverse offerings of our archipelago—from pristine beaches and renowned dive sites to vibrant culture and exceptional hospitality.” She attributed the nominations to the collective efforts of the government and tourism stakeholders to foster a thriving, sustainable tourism environment.
In addition to the WTA accolades, the Philippines is also featured in the 23rd Annual Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards by the UK’s longest-running travel magazine. The country is nominated in three categories: Most Desirable Country (Rest of the World), Cebu – Most Desirable Region (Rest of the World), and Palawan – Most Desirable Island (Rest of the World). Subcategories include Adventure, Nature and Wildlife, Culture and Heritage, Gastronomy, and Sustainability.
The Philippines is also competing in the 2024 International Travel Awards, which recognizes top performers in the tourism and hospitality industry. The country is nominated for Best Beach, Best Island Destination, and Best Wedding Destination. The Asia Best of Best Awards has also recognized the DOT with nominations for Best in Service – Customer Support, Best Marketing Campaign, and Best Woman Leader for Secretary Frasco.
The Philippines’ extensive nominations across multiple prestigious awards highlight its growing stature in the global tourism landscape and its commitment to offering exceptional travel experiences.
