08 November 2017 – The Department of Tourism (DOT) was recognized as Tourism Organization of the Year by the CAPA Asia Pacific Aviation Awards for Excellence during a Gala Dinner held at Capella Singapore-Sentosa Island last 07 November.
Specifically, DOT was awarded for being a tourism organization “that has positively impacted and inspired the tourism sector through innovation and leadership.”
Dr. Erwin F. Balane, Head of DOT’s Route Development Team, received the award on behalf of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo.
During the brief interview onstage after receiving the award, Dr. Balane said that the DOT is continuing on with its successful “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” campaign, while emphasizing the importance of further strengthening air services in an archipelagic country, such as the Philippines, to ensure accessibility and linkages.
“Under President Duterte’s ‘Build Build Build’ program, the DOT is also committed to constructing more infrastructure projects, such as airports, to better serve the country’s burgeoning tourism industry,” Dr. Balane added.
Among the other awardees of the night were Singapore’s Changi Airport as Large Airport of the Year, AirAsia as Low Cost Airline of the Year, Vietnam Airlines as Airline of the Year, and Qatar Airways Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker as Airline Executive of the Year.
Established in 1990, CAPA – Centre for Aviation delivers market intelligence, research and data solutions that support the strategic decision-making of organisations in global aviation. It also convenes aviation and travel summits in key markets around the world, bringing together the leaders and decision-makers in global commercial aviation.
CAPA’s Aviation Awards for Excellence are regarded as the pre-eminent awards for strategic excellence in aviation.
