The Negros Occidental provincial government was named grand prize winner in two categories at the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards 2024 in South Cotabato, Thursday, Oct. 10.
Negros Occidental won the grand prize for the Best in Local Event (provincial category) for the Negros Trade Fair and Best in International Event Hosting for the Slow Food Terra Madre Visayas, Provincial Tourism Officer Cheryl Decena said.
Sipalay City won three grand prizes for Best in Sustainable Practices, Best Tourism Week Celebration and Best Tourism Oriented LGU, Decena added.
Don Salvador Benedicto won a grand prize for Best Tourism Promotional Video.
Silay City was first runner up in the Best Cultural Festival category for its Kansilay Festival, she said.
Finalist in the Outstanding Tourism Officer City Category was Jerick Lacson of Sipalay City.*