MANILA, Philippines - It was a night of celebrating excellence in Philippine tourism at the 25th SKAL International Tourism Awards at the New World Makati Hotel recently.
SKAL is a professional organization of tourism leaders around the world promoting global tourism and friendship. This annual event celebrates the achievements of exemplary individuals in the Philippine tourism industry.
The SKAL International Tourism Awards, in conjunction with SKAL International-Makati’s 34th founding anniversary led by its president Robert “Bobby” Lim Joseph Jr. and SKAL International Awards chairman Jaime Bautista, honored STAR president and CEO Miguel Belmonte as Media Personality of the Year.
SKAL also awarded STAR columnist Cito Beltran in the Tourism Education category.
Other awardees included Tourism Promotions Board COO Domingo Ramon Enerio III, Government Service for Tourism Promotions; former tourism secretary Mina Gabor, Sustainable Community-based Rural Tourism Development; Rajah Travel president Aileen Clemente, Travel Agency; SM Prime Holdings Inc. president Hans Sy, Integrated Tourism Enterprise; Golden Arches Development Corp. chairman Dr. George Yang, International Fast Food Chain; Huma Island Resort owner Dr. Hamad Ibrahim Al Tuwaijri, Resort Personality of the Year; Starbucks Philippines COO Noey Tantoco Lopez, International Coffee Company; PAL’s Ismael Augusto Gozon, Airline Personality of the Year; Bimby Aquino Yap, Youngest Tourism Media Personality; Kris Aquino, Tourism Hall of Fame TV Host; and ABS-CBN, TV Station of the Year. Photos by Fernan Nebres