La Union Gets Six Pearls for Outstanding Tourism Initiatives
Press Release from the PGLU — October 11, 2024
La Union Gets Six Pearls for Outstanding Tourism Initiatives
The Province of La Union shone bright in the national tourism scene as it received multiple awards during the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards 2024 on October 10, 2024 at Koronadal City, South Cotabato.
La Union got five pearl awards in the provincial category, while Bangar got another pearl in the municipal category.
The province’s flagship tourism activity, the La Union Surfing Break (LUSB), was adjudged as the grand winner for the Best Sports Tourism. Already a Hall of Famer in the Adventure Sports and Wellness category after garnering the top spot in the past five years, LUSB now dominates in a different category, but still creating the same waves.
Also a grand winner is La Union’s Green Tourism Enterprises Program (GTEP), under the Best Practices on Sustainable Tourism. The GTEP was launched by the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU), through the La Union Provincial Tourism Office (LUPTO), to encourage tourism establishments and stakeholders to adhere to green standards.
Other awards include two First Runner Up finishes in the Best Event Hosting for the La Union Surfing Break, and the Best Practices in Community-Based Tourism for “Tour-tle-The Journey of the Flippers”; and Second Runner Up in the Best Brochure for Tourism Promotions for its “Love La Union Travel Guide.”
Meanwhile, the Municipality of Bangar also won the 2nd Runner-up for Best Tourism Souvenirs - Non Food Municipal Category.
Gov. Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David expressed honor for the awards, and dedicated the victory to all tourism players and stakeholders in the province.
"These awards speak of the great things we can achieve when we come together and are united by a shared vision for our beloved province. This success was made possible by the tireless efforts of everybody: our dedicated tourism officers and their respective local chief executives, tourism industry owners and workers in the private sector, and of course, the tourists who continue to choose La Union as their destination of choice,” Gov. Ortega-David underscored
LUPTO officers led by Officer-In-Charge Julius Manabat accepted the awards from the ATOP President Julie Ann Divina Gracia and Vice President Noel Dacquioag.
Manabat said the award shall inspire the local governments to develop more programs and activities that would boost local tourism. "The pearl awards we bagged this year are a clear testament to the vibrant, inclusive and sustainable tourism industry we have in La Union. It is also a source of inspiration for us to achieve greater goals to give our tourists more reasons to Live, Own, Visit and Enjoy, or LOVE, La Union," Manabat shared.
The ATOP – DOT Pearl Awards is a prestigious recognition given to outstanding Local Government Units and tourism players of the industry who exemplifies initiatives, innovations and best practices showcasing the country’s exceptional beauty and wonders for tourism and culture.
La Union has consistently been winning in the Pearl Awards since 2008.
Photo Caption: La Union Provincial Tourism Officer-In-Charge Julius Manabat together with his personnel personally accepted the award from ATOP President Julie Ann Divina Gracia and Vice President Noel Dacquioag during the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards 2024 on October 10, 2024 at Koronadal City, South Cotabato.
