Philippines to host World Travel Awards in September

CLARK, Philippines – The Philippines is set to host the World Travel Awards (WTA) Ceremony for the first time this year.

“We’re also very excited to announce that the Philippines will be hosting the World Travel Awards,” Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said at the press conference for the MICECON 2024 or the Philippine meetings, incentive travel, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) conference held in Clark, Pampanga on July 11.

The WTA, established in 1993, has been dubbed the “Oscars” of the travel industry. It is a London-based awarding body that recognizes excellence in the travel and tourism industry in three tiers: country, regional, and world awards across different categories.

This year, WTA organizers said the red-carpet reception welcoming travel and tourism figureheads will take place at City of Dreams Luxury Resort in Entertainment City, Parañaque Manila on September 3.

WTA founder Graham Cooke said he is honored that the WTA will be heading to the Philippines for the first time, saying it reflects the “significant strides the nation’s tourism sector is making.”

“Manila is one of Asia’s most exciting emerging destinations, and I look forward to welcoming travel industry leaders from across Asia and Oceania to experience its many charms,” Cooke said.

Frasco, meanwhile, said the inaugural hosting of WTA “yet again evinces the confidence the global community of nations as far as the attractiveness as a tourism destination as well as a destination for MICE events.”

She cited the success of the country’s hosting of the United Nations Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific in Cebu last month which drew some 600 international delegates.

Meanwhile, WTA gala ceremonies are considered best networking opportunities in the travel industry. It gathers government and industry leaders, luminaries and international print and broadcast media.

For the Asian category, the Philippines is vying for seven awards.

It is nominated as the following:

    Asia’s Leading Beach Destination
    Asia’s Leading Dive Destination
    Asia’s Leading Island Destination
    Intramuros - Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction
    Boracay - Asia’s Leading Luxury