DOT awards tourism stars

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) recently honored the first batch of individuals who have exemplified excellence and dedication in driving the Philippine tourism industry forward, under the Tourism Star Philippines (TSP) program.

TSP is a recognition program developed to celebrate the valuable contribution of Filipinos from the tourism industry, media and local government units. Through TSP, DOT seeks to underscore the distinct Filipino brand of warm hospitality that marks our culture of tourism.

“TSP is established as a platform for the DOT to hold up people who will serve as powerful inspiration for anyone who wants to do well in the tourism industry,” Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. said. “That we are able to honor our awardees tonight is incidental to the even more important objective of presenting them as an inspiration for many more tourism supporters. This first ever TSP Awards is itself inspired by the overwhelming enthusiasm of the Filipino people for building a more dynamic, more inclusive tourism industry for our country.”

The very first roster of Tourism Stars include Gerry Bie Dalimag and Bobby Adrao for the Individual Category; Drew Arellano of Biyahe ni Drew in GMA-7 and Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet for the Media Category; and Gov. Joey Salceda of Albay for the Local Chief Executive (LCE) category.  

Dalimag is a college student who serves as a local volunteer guide around the famous Callao Caves in Cagayan. At a very young age, he has helped in boosting the province’s local tourism by taking his guiding responsibilities to heart, which earned him the respect and commendation from various people and even the media.

Adrao, on the other hand, is a licensed butanding (whaleshark) interaction officer and a dive master in Donsol, Sorsogon. In addition to advocating safe and environment-friendly diving practices, Adrao represents a Filipino tourism frontliner who goes beyond the call of duty to save the lives of an Australian couple who went adrift in the rough seas while diving due to inclement weather.

Popular celebrity Arellano headlines a local TV show called Biyahe ni Drew, which features fun travel adventures in different Philippine destinations every week. Known for his quirky and entertaining brand of hosting, Arellano successfully embodies the “It’s more fun in the Philippines” concept.

Diaz, meanwhile, is the man behind Our Awesome Planet, a top lifestyle blog that showcases the best of food and travel destinations in the Philippines. Founded in 2005, it has generated thousands of followers and readers that are able to share his experiences and discoveries in various places in the country.

Salceda led the Albay region’s phenomenal growth in tourism as it rose from the ruins of disasters that stunted the province for decades. As former economic adviser to previous presidents, Salceda has successfully implemented a comprehensive tourism work program in Albay, bringing to the fore various regulations and investment projects to achieve significant tourism development.

Anchored on DOT’s It’s more fun in the Philippines campaign, the Tourism Star Philippines also marks a significant milestone for the agency, as it is part of the full implementation of the National Tourism Development Plan which leverages on public-private sector partnerships to improve competitiveness of tourism facilities and services, capacitate local government units, ensure sustainable tourism development and initiate focused marketing and promotions.

Among the nominees received from February to June 2014, DOT implemented a rigorous selection process for those who demonstrated the strongest and deepest commitment to promote the country’s tourism in their own ways.

For the Individual Category, nominations were received through the program website and through drop boxes located at domestic airport terminals nationwide.

Meanwhile, Local Tourism Councils nominated their mayors or governors for the LCE category by submitting the completely filled out nomination form with the documentary requirements to concerned DOT Regional Offices.

Nominations for the Media Category, which was added two months after the launch, were solicited from tourism and travel associations nationwide.

After the screening process, a final evaluation was conducted by the TSP Screening Committee composed of representatives from the DOT’s Office of the Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation, Coordination and Resource Generation and Office of Tourism Standards and Regulation, as well as the Development Academy of the Philippines, one of the program’s institutional partners. All submitted documentary requirements were validated through the help of the DOT regional offices and the local tourism offices. For the LCE category, documents were rated using the following criteria: Institutional, promotions, planning and product development, regulatory, investments and centerpiece projects with additional points in consideration of their support to DOT advocacies.

Media nominees, on the other hand, were chosen based on the votes they received through online voting; content and substance and relevance of work to the Philippine tourism industry; impact and significant contribution to the It’s More Fun in the Philippines campaign; creativity and uniqueness of shows/articles and information presented.

Awardees of Tourism Stars Philippines will receive trophies and medals, as well as gifts from program partners: a pre-loaded More Fun Prepaid card from the Bank of the Philippine Islands, scholarship from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, phones and tablets from MyPhone, and a kabuhayan package from Duty Free Philippines.

“Philippine tourism is undoubtedly the fastest growing industry in the country, taking on a significant role in our economy. We believe that we owe this tremendous growth to our people. Without them, our destinations would only be a mere landscape. It is our people that give these beautiful destinations life and meaning. And the Tourism Star Program honors these individuals who truly make it more fun in the Philippines,” Jimenez said.