Garcia, Tamano honored as outstanding individuals

CEBU, Philippines —  Cebu Governor Gwendolyn “Gwen” Garcia and Department of Tourism (DOT) in Central Visayas Regional Director Shalimar Tamano have been recognized as among the outstanding individuals for initiating sustainable tourism amid the pandemic.

Garcia and Tamano were chosen by the Rotary Club of Manila as two of the 11 outstanding individuals in the field of tourism (provincial government category) during its Tourism Awards held at The Heritage Hotel Manila on Thursday.

The award was given in recognition of Garcia’s “contribution to the tourism industry by initiating sustainable tourism activities despite the challenging times caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.”

Tamano, on the other hand, was honored for pushing for the recovery of the region’s diving industry.

DOT-7 is bent on reviving diving as one of the major tourist draws in Cebu post-pandemic. It recently kicked off the third leg of the DIVE7 Summer Festivals in this famous diving destination.

Tamano earlier said the diving industry in the Philippines, particularly in Central Visayas, is one of the key economic drivers in tourism.

Tamano said DOT-7 is working closely with all government officials, regional directors, private sector, and airline industry to restore Cebu’s well-known image as a diving destination. — KQD (FREEMAN)