OSAKA, JAPAN – The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) continues to reap accolades for its beefed up drive to promote sustainable tourism practices in its destinations.
Philippine Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat personally received the Excellent Partner Award from the prestigious Japan Tourism Awards (JTA) in recognition of the role of the PDOT in the temporary closure of Boracay Island in order to rehabilitate the island from overtourism. Puyat received the award during the opening ceremonies of the Tourism Japan Expo (JTE) held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Osaka.
The award giving body cited the socially advanced initiatives of PDOT by taking a high risk of closing and pursuing a cohesive effort to implement the physical, social, environmental and social recovery of the world-renowned resort island.
Puyat says she is elated with the recognition that came on the heels of the World Travel Awards’ hailing of the Philippines Department of Tourism as Asia’s Leading Tourism Board.
“We share this award with the DENR and DILG. Our combined efforts in the rehabilitation of Boracay is still a work in progress, but already we are seeing the rewards. Recently, Boracay was recognized as Asia’s Top Reader’s Choice Award by Conde Nast Traveler,” enthused Puyat.
The preeminent award-giving body recognizes the efforts of tourism organizations around the globe that contribute to the development and expansion of the industry also honoring exceptional efforts of groups towards sustainable tourism development.
The awarding took place on the sidelines of the 3rd Tourism Expo Japan (TEJ) Ministerial Round Table in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) where the tourism chief was invited to be one of the panelists. Said event was attended by ministers of Tourism from all over the world, executives from international tourism organizations and governors of prefectures of Japan.
