KEY PLAYERS who have been done their part in the exponential growth of the local sports tourism industry are set to be honored at the 2nd Sports Tourism Awards.
Happening on Dec. 5 at the newly opened Savoy Hotel Manila in Pasay City, the Philippine Sports Tourism Awards (PSTA), which is founded by tourism marketing and public relations group Selrahco, is also geared towards inspiring local players to further step up their game in pushing the Philippines as a top sports tourism destination in the world with various events and activities, riding on the back of the richness of the country’s geography and the inherent passion of Filipinos for sports.
The awards is making a comeback after taking a year off last year to give way to the organizational changes that happened both in the sports and tourism sectors in the country.
But like its inaugural edition in 2016, organizers said the 2nd Sports Tourism Awards will honor deserving awardees who have put in much effort to the Philippine sports tourism push.
“Once again the awardees are of par excellence and this event is to honor them for their efforts and professionalism in creating and hosting the sports events which have encouraged more visitors, locally and from overseas, to participate,” said Charles Lim, chairman and founder of the PSTA, during the press conference for the event held on Tuesday.
Among those short-listed for awards are the Philippine Football Federation and Philippine Football League (National Sports Association of the Year); Sunrise Events Inc., Palawan Express, Davao Fun Sale Inc. , and Blue Kiteboarding Inc. (Organizer of the Year [Private]); Tabuelan 111, Visit Davao, and Manggahan Bike Fest (Event of the Year [Domestic]); Ironman 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship, 4th Futsal Asian Championship, Pal Interclub Tournament, Clark Hot Air Balloon, and Blue Palawan International Kiteboarding Open (Event of the Year [International]); and PAL Interclub, Century Tuna Ironman, and Cobra Ironman (Event Sponsorship of the Year).
Other categories in the PSTA are Destination of the Year, Organizer of the Year (LGU), Destination Marketing of the Year, Hotel of the Year, Charity of the Year, and Airline of the Year.
The winners are to be chosen by a panel of judges from the sports and tourism sectors.
The PSTA is supported by the Department of Tourism, Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Amusement & Gaming Corporation, among others.
Previous winners of the awards were Clark Freeport (Destination of the Year), Sunrise Events, Inc. (Organizer of the Year -Private), Municipality of Lubao (Organizer of the Year — Government), (Tabuelan 111 — Event of the Year -Domestic), Ironman 70.3 (Event of the Year — International), Philippine Inter-Island Sailing Federation — Sport Association of the Year), Province of Cebu -(Destination Marketing of the Year Ironman 70.3), Resorts World Manila Masters — Event Sponsorship of the Year) and Fat Boy 10s Rugby (Charity Event of the Year). — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
