Citing her invaluable contribution to the recovery and continuous growth of the Philippine tourism industry, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco was conferred the World Tourism Icon of the Year Award by the Global Tourism Business Association (GTBA) recently.
The said award was given in recognition of Frasco’s exceptional leadership as the World Tourism Icon of the Year and her relentless efforts to showcase the best of our nation to the world.
“You have validated the Philippine Tourism sector on the global stage by attracting visitors worldwide and has set a new standard for excellence in the global tourism landscape.”
“Fostering cultural exchange, sustainable tourism, and economic growth, indeed you have validated the Philippine Tourism sector on the global stage by attracting visitors worldwide and has set a new standard for excellence in the global tourism landscape.
“The synergy between the private tourism industry and the government is pivotal. It’s through this collaboration that we not only recover from pandemic losses but also achieve unprecedented goals in the tourism sector.”
This plaque serves as a token of our deep appreciation for your extraordinary contributions in the tourism industry. May it stand as a testament to the positive impact [you have made] and inspire future generations,” enthused the organizers.
In her keynote address, Frasco underscored the pivotal role of the tourism industry, “Tourism is a transformative force. Every peso invested yields immense returns, benefiting Filipino families with each tourism transaction. Our focus extends beyond recovery. This is about true transformation. The synergy between the private tourism industry and the government is pivotal. It’s through this collaboration that we not only recover from pandemic losses but also achieve unprecedented goals in the tourism sector,” the tourism chief stressed.
“I commend GTBA for rallying the private sector and continuing to champion Philippine Tourism globally. Their conscious efforts to collaborate with embassies worldwide ensure our joint initiatives in tourism mutually benefit our economies,” the tourism head added.
She also led the induction of the new set of officers of the GTBA, a non-profit national tourism organization founded in August 2018, spearheaded by Ms. Michelle Guerrero Taylan. The organization’s mission is aimed at sustainable tourism growth.
With over 100 members, GTBA provides networking events, training, and advocacy services, fostering responsible tourism and holistic development in the Philippines’ travel and tourism sectors.
Meanwhile, Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa Abubakar was cited as Outstanding Tourism Official of the Year, and NCR Regional Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin was recognized as Outstanding Tourism Officer of the Year.
The event drew VIP guests from various embassies and local executives, including Vietnamese Ambassador Hoang Huy Chung, Thailand Ambassador Tull Traisorat, Israel Ambassador Ilan Fluss, Malaysia Ambassador Dato Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino, Cambodia Ambassador Phan Peuv, Brunei Ambassador Megawati Manan, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of Myanmar San Yu Kyaw, Minister of Taipei Economic and Cultural Exchange in the Philippines Teng-Shi Yang, and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.
