By I. Inojales | 08:15 PM September 09, 2025
Bohol has been hailed as the country’s top tourism province, winning the Philippine Tourism Excellence Award for Tourism Destination Province (2025–2027) at the first-ever Philippine Tourism Awards held Monday, September 8, at Okada Manila in Parañaque City.
Lawyer Lucas Nunag, co-chair of the Provincial Tourism Council (PTC), received the award on behalf of Governor Aris Aumentado, underscoring Bohol’s stature as a pioneering and resilient tourism hub since the 1970s.
Bohol also earned finalist citations for Eco-Tourism Destination, with Loboc recognized as a finalist for Best Tourism Destination (Municipality) and Panglao as a finalist for Best Dive Destination.
Adding to the province’s pride, Lourdes Sultan, president of the Bohol Alliance of Travel and Tour Operators (BATTO), was honored as a Tourism Pillar Awardee for 2025 for her decades of service and resilience in the industry.
Unesco Geopark Pride
Governor Aumentado, in a statement on his official Facebook page, thanked the Department of Tourism (DOT) for recognizing Bohol and its stakeholders, noting that the recognition affirms the province’s distinction as the country’s first and only Unesco Global Geopark.
“This award inspires the Provincial Government to further strengthen our programs and projects, ensuring quality services for both local and international visitors, while sustaining our identity as a Unesco Global Geopark,” Aumentado said.
He emphasized that Bohol’s culture, history, and natural environment remain at the core of its tourism legacy, helping build an industry that embraces innovation while protecting heritage and communities.
Enduring Attractions
From the world-famous Chocolate Hills and centuries-old churches to its pristine beaches and vibrant festivals, Bohol has consistently drawn visitors worldwide. The award, provincial leaders say, highlights the island’s enduring appeal while aligning with Aumentado’s Strategic Change Agenda, which prioritizes sustainable tourism, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment.
Recognizing Excellence in Tourism
The Philippine Tourism Awards (PTA), spearheaded by the DOT, is envisioned as a periodic national recognition program to honor excellence across the tourism value chain.
The inaugural edition drew 353 applicants, narrowed to 102 finalists, with winners representing both public and private tourism stakeholders. Categories included hotels, resorts, transport operators, tour operators, MICE venues, community tour guides, and tourism journalists.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco praised the awardees for upholding innovation and service excellence, calling them “bearers of the stories of our communities and the pride of the nation.”
“All of you here are being honored because you have raised the standards of our industry and proven that Filipino hospitality is our gift to the world,” Frasco said. “You are the bearers of the good of our country, showing through your work your compassion, your creativity, and your grace that you are the true face of the Philippine tourism. Your triumph is not yours alone, for it is also the triumph of the communities you uplift and the lives that you transform. “
Special industry awards were also given to Cebu Pacific Air and Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, while pillar awards went to Philippine Airlines, The Manila Hotel, the Philippine Travel Agencies Association, and the UP Asian Institute of Tourism.
