Philippines’ top sports tourism destinations, events and organizers were recognized in the prestigious 3rd Sports Tourism Awards at Grand Wing of Resorts World Manila on November 26. 

 

Running away with the top award as Destination of the Year was Clark Freeport for organizing and supporting well over 200 sporting events in the free port zone last year alone. Representing the destination was  Noel Manankil president of Clark Development Corporation who received the award from Undersecretary of Tourism, Benito Bengzon, Jr, ;  Charles Lim, Founder and Chairman of the Philippines Sports Tourism Awards (PSTA) and  Pauland Dumlao, President and Managing Director of Primetime co-presenter.

 

The PSTA originated from the long standing Sports Tourism Forum (STF) which originated in Cebu in 2004 but moved on as an educational series on sports tourism event management supported by the Department of Tourism for event organizers, sports associations, hotels, sports clubs and local sports and tourism offices.

 

Other winners of PSTA 2018 were Sunrise Events, Inc (Event Organizer of the Year -Private), City of Dumaguete (Event Organizer of the Year -Government), Subic Bay (Event of the Year Ironman),  Ceres -Negros FC (Sports Association of the Year), Resorts World Manila (Charity Event of the Year),  City of Davao (Destination Marketing of the Year – ironman), Sunlife Financial (Event Sponsorship of the Year), Philippine Airlines (Airline of the Year),  AA Philippines  (MICE Event of the Year), Hotel of the Year (Marco Polo Plaza Cebu), Adventure Event of the Year ( Cebu Pacific – Juan For Fun), Philippine Sports Commission/Philippine National Games (Event of the Year – Domestic) Panaad Park and Sports Complex, Bacolod City (Sports Venue of the Year) .