Baguio City, Philippines – Following the success of its first search for Best Tourism Village last year, the Department of Tourism – Cordillera launched the same to directly involve communities in its efforts of enhancing tourism.
Regional directors and heads of various partner agencies gathered on Thursday, August 03, in Baguio City to officially launch the first and only recognition award for community-based practices in villages across the region.
“By participating in this initiative, tourism villages can seize opportunities for economic growth and improve their overall welfare, help promote the region and strengthen its position as a haven for ecological and sustainable activities,” underscored DOT – Cordillera’s Regional Director Jovita A. Ganongan.
The search is open to all existing and emerging, community-led tourism villages in the region. Those who previously joined but have yet to complete their projects and liquidated their prize money will be disqualified.
Interested participants only need to fill out the application form which can be downloaded through http://bit.ly/SBTV2023ApplicationForm, or they may secure hard copies from their respective provincial and municipal tourism offices.
The application is open until September 05, 2023.
Qualified applicants will be notified by DOT-CAR and a team of evaluators will conduct an ocular inspection and validation.
Applicants will be judged based on sustainable management (25%), socio-economic and rural economic development sustainability (25%), cultural sustainability (25%), and environmental sustainability (25%).
The village that will outshine the rest and will garner the highest rating will be awarded the grand prize amounting to P1 million.
Second placer will be given P500,000 and the tourism village to settle at third will receive P200,000. Top three winners will get trophies and tokens, on top of their cash prize.
Other three runners-up will be awarded P100,000 each, with certificates and tokens.
Ganongan expressed they are anticipating a higher number of participants in this 2023 Search for the Best Tourism Village of the Cordilleras.
“We would like to sustain this project. This is one way of really promoting community-based tourism and advancing sustainable tourism development,” she added.
Among those who attended the event’s launching are Regional Director Demetrio P. Anduyan of CHED-CAR Jr., Marleen M. Guerzon of DILG-CAR, Jose H. Dado Jr. of NEDA-CAR, Arlene L. Cadalig of TESDA-CAR, Cyder O. Urban of Benguet Tourism Operations Office, and Angel B. Baybay of Mt. Province Tourism Office.
Municipal Tourism Officer Haydee Hermosora of Hungduan, Ifugao whose entry of Village Hapao-Baang-Nungulunan Clustered Tourism won in last year’s search, was also present in the activity, as well as Mayor Felicito B. Dula of Sagada, Mt. Province where the second placer - Pidlisan Village is located.
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