RP bags notable tourism awards for first quarter of 2010

The first quarter of 2010 is shaping up to be a good start for Philippine tourism, as the country continues to reap recognitions for sustained marketing activities throughout its key segments in China, Japan, Korea, Australia, Russia, and North America.


The county has been included in the Top 10 Best Destinations for elite travelers in China; awarded Best in Destination Promotions in Beijing; Best Travel Website representation in Russia; and from America, the top spots in Scuba Diving Magazine’s Reader’s Choice Awards.



“Giving honour to our country should be the duty of every Filipino. These achievements at the onset of the year usher in more positive news in Philippine tourism, as we keep on with our efforts to reach important market segments,” said Ace Durano, Secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT).


The country’s renowned ecotourism site, Palawan, was included in the Top 10 Best Destinations for elite travelers in China. Initiated by ctrip.com, China’s trusted online travel website and Elite Traveller, their leading high-end travel glossy, the poll gathered a total of 4,340,122 valid votes through the crip.com website, emails, fax, and snail mail.


Dynamic and innovative programs and efficient publicity gave DOT – Beijing the Best Destination Promotions award, recently given by China Travel Agents (CTA) Magazine, in recognition of tourism promotional and marketing activities undertaken by the Philippines in China in 2009. This is the fourth year that DOT Beijing has won the award for the country.


The CTA Magazine’s editorial board judge the nominees based on the quantity, quality and effectiveness of tourism promotional activities undertaken during the year by the national tourism organizations (NTOs). The finalists are screened by selected airlines and major tour wholesalers with whom the NTOs have worked with or who have benefited from said tourism activities.

“We acknowledge the hard work of all our overseas offices, the Department’s marketing teams, continued support of the media, and all Filipinos who are themselves ambassadors of Philippine tourism, for helping bring in positive feedback about the country,” Durano further said.


Complementing on-site promotional efforts are online campaigns. Such was implemented in DOT’s official Russian language website, www.mabuhay.ru, which won Best Internet Site of a National Tourist Office.


Awarded by www.travel.ru, the premier Russian travel portal, mabuhay.ru garnered the most number of positive reviews from actual consumers who have visited the site. Total voting was held from May to December 2009, which received more than 10,000 votes from individual internet users (registered unique ISPs), proving the highest voter participation for the duration of the campaign.


The awarding ceremonies will be held in the upcoming Moscow International Travel and Tourism (MITT) Exhibition this March, a sought-after spring international travel show in Russia.


The Philippines’ breathtaking dive sites continue to captivate divers all over, landing the top spots in the Reader’s Choice Awards from the latest issue of Scuba Diving Magazine. The country was cited under various categories for wreck diving, macro life, value-for-money diving, preferred site for underwater photography, and overall destination rating.


“The country continues to capture a wide market because of our diverse attractions, and these recognitions affirm that we are on the right track. We continue to work hand in hand with tourism offices abroad keeping ourselves abreast on the latest developments and demand from various markets, to promote our country better, “shared Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr.

Taking off from being named Asia’s Most Popular Destination at the 2009 World Travel Fair in China, the Philippines was also included in the Top 5 Best Diving Area and Top 10 Most Desirable Destination in Japan; cited first place in the Top 10 Emerging Food Destinations for ‘travellers seeking not only a new and fascinating experience but also an exotic culinary sensation,’ by Australia’s most trusted travel website, www.expedia.com.au.

National Geographic’s Adventure Travel Issue cited the country in its 25 Best New Trips for 2010, with a special highlight on the mountains of Cordillera and beaches of Bohol. The Cordillera Rice Terraces was also cited in NatGeo’s 50 Places of a Lifetime, a list of treasured destinations one ought to see in this lifetime.

This year, the Philippines received a prestigious nomination for Asia’s Leading Tourist Board from the World Travel Awards (WTA), considered the ‘Oscars of the travel industry.’

The WTA is the culmination of a year-long search for the very best travel brands in the world, covering seven continents and featuring over 3,600 nominees.