KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato – October 10, 2024 — The City of Baguio made history at the 25th Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Silver National Convention by taking home ten awards, including the highest distinction of Best Tourism Oriented Local Government Unit (LGU). The event was held in Koronadal City, South Cotabato, and solidified Baguio’s position as a leader in tourism innovation and sustainability.
Baguio City emerged as the Grand Winner for the prestigious Best Tourism Oriented LGU, the most coveted award in the competition. Alongside this, the city’s promotion video “#BreatheBaguio” also took the Grand Winner title for Best Tourism Promotion – Video, further highlighting the city’s forward-thinking tourism campaigns.
The city also received top placements in various categories:
- First Runner Up: Best Event Hosting for “An Enchanting Baguio Christmas 2023”
- First Runner Up: Best Tourism Week/Month Celebration for HRAB’s 16th Annual HRT Week in Baguio
- First Runner Up: Best Sports Tourism Event for the “Sang-atan BLISTT Bike Festival 2023”
- First Runner Up: Best Cultural Festival for the “Gong Festival 2023”
- Special Citation: Best Practices on Sustainable Tourism for Baguio Country Club’s sustainable initiatives, the only finalist to earn distinction under the Highly Urbanized City category.
- Second Runner Up: Best Practices in Community-Based Tourism for the “Baguio Pony Boys”
- Second Runner Up: Best Tourism Promotion – Brochure for “#BreatheBaguio Tourism Brochure”
- First Runner Up: Best Institutionalized Program for Culture and the Arts for the “Montañosa Film Festival 2023”
City Tourism Officer Alec Mapalo, along with members of the City Tourism Office and the Baguio Tourism Council, were present to receive the awards. Notable figures in attendance included Joma Rivera, La Rainne Bareng, Rachelle Anne Montoya, Rhey Delmendo, Grail Cortez, Eric Dispo, Eugene Valbuena, Ian Catacutan, and council officers Gladys Vergara, Ferdie Balanag, and Dorai Ngolob.
With Baguio continuing to set the bar high for tourism initiatives, the city will also have the honor of hosting the next ATOP National Convention in October 2025.
