MANILA, PHILIPPINES—The Philippines, through its Department of Tourism (DOT) and
the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, proudly hosted the World Travel
Awards (WTA) Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony 2024 for the first time on September 3
at the City of Dreams Manila. This significant milestone underscored the country’s
prominence on the global tourism stage and reinforced its status as a world-class
destination.
“The past two years have been a period of incredible growth and transformation for
the Philippines. Under the leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we have
embarked on a path of dynamic tourism development, investing heavily in
infrastructure, improving connectivity across our beautiful archipelago, enhancing the
overall tourism experience, and most importantly, investing in our greatest asset—
our people,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco in her opening remarks.
“The Filipino people, with their innate warmth, resilience, and passion, are at the heart
of Philippine tourism. They are the embodiment of the very essence of our culture—
the genuine smiles, the unparalleled service, and the authentic experiences that leave
a lasting impression on every traveler.”
On a night filled with celebration and recognition, the Philippines secured numerous
accolades that underscore the rich diversity of its destinations and the strong efforts being
made to promote them.
Additionally, Tourism Secretary Frasco was honored with the Transformational Leader Award
in Tourism Governance for her outstanding contributions to promoting sustainable tourism
and enhancing the global reputation of the Philippines as a top-of-mind travel destination in
Asia.
The Philippines won the WTA 2024 recognitions for the first time as Asia’s Leading Island
Destination, Boracay as Asia’s Leading Luxury Island Destination, and Cebu as Asia’s Leading
Wedding Destination. In addition to these awards, the country was recognized for its “Love
the Philippines” campaign, winning Asia’s Leading Marketing Campaign 2024.
Further cementing its status as a global tourism hotspot, the Philippines has once again been
hailed as Asia’s Leading Beach Destination 2024 for the seventh year and Asia’s Leading Dive
Destination for the sixth consecutive year. Meanwhile, the Historic Walled City of Intramuros
has been crowned as Asia’s leading Tourist Attraction 2024 for the fourth time.
Hosting the WTA Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony is a key achievement in the Philippine
tourism sector’s journey, as the country continues to attract international attention for its
unparalleled natural beauty, cultural heritage, and warm hospitality.
TPB Chief Operating Officer Margarita Montemayor Nograles likewise emphasized how the
country’s recent wins validate the authenticity and hard work invested into the continuous
promotion of the Philippines’ diverse attractions and tourism products.
“The World Travel Awards have long been regarded as the hallmark of industry excellence.
For the Philippines to win multiple awards is an indication of our growing influence in the
global tourism landscape. It reaffirms that our marketing efforts to promote our major and
off-the-beaten-path destinations, along with our focus on other aspects of tourism such as
food, wellness, and cultural immersions, resonate with travelers and stakeholders alike,” she
said.
The event was attended by prominent figures in the industry, including global tourism
executives, influential decision-makers, and renowned travel experts. The red-carpet gala
celebrated the winners and offered a platform to showcase the best of the Philippines to a
global audience, from its white sand beaches and world-class diving spots, to historical
landmarks and luxury destinations.
The WTA Asia & Oceania Gala Ceremony 2024 was made possible through the efforts of its
event partner: City of Dreams Manila, along with the support of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts,
Destileria Limtuaco, The Bellevue Hotels & Resorts, Vivere Hotel, Conrad Manila, Kultura
Filipino & SM Retail Inc., and DrinkAid.
