Isabela City bags most outstanding tourism awards in Zampen

By: Nilda T. Delos Reyes

 

ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Sept 29 (PIA) –Isabela City de Basilan bagged outstanding tourism awards in the recent Department of Tourism - Zamboanga Peninsula Tourism Awards 2021.

 

Isabela City under the administration of Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman through the City Tourim Office was recognized for its unique strategy in promoting and sustaining tourism industry despite challenges brought by COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Claudio Ramos was recognized as the Outstanding Tourism Officer based on the consistency in the regular submission of tourism statistics, attendance to all Department of Tourism online and onsite activities, number of programs developed locally and technical support extended to local stakeholders.

 

In addition, four tourism staff here were also recognized as Outstanding Tourism Staff namely Hazel Tan, Michelle Andajao, Rodolfo Ricablanca and Macky Turabin.  

 

Isabela City was also recognized as the Outstanding Tourism Organization that implemented programs involved or partnered with DOT and compliant to the DOT’s Health and Safety Guidelines.

 

Isabela City also bagged the Outstanding ZamPen Tourism Stakeholder award.

 

Despite challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic which notably lowered the tourism engagements and activities, Isabela City Tourism Office still continue to discover tourism sites and submitted visitors’ attractions record to DOT which brought them to be recipient of Tourism Destination Award.

 

Isabela City Tourism Office has so far identified 11 tourists attractions and got DOT’s accreditation. These are the Malamawi White Beach, Lampinigan Island, Isabela City Forest Park, City Plaza, Provincial Capitol, Marang Marang Mangrove Forest, Santa Isabel Cathedral, Jamih Mosque, Geras Mosque, Cabunbata Falls and Rubber Plantation. There are also some attractions which need development like the Hami Beach and other local waterfalls.

 

The Isabela City LGU through the City Tourism Office, inspired by its local culture and identity, has designed unique branding including the use of hashtags for tourism branding and recognized as Best Tourism Brand.

 

Claudio Ramos told the Philippine Information Agency that these awards are manifestations of how the local government unit here supported the realizations of the Department of Tourism’s mandates, vision, and mission.

 

He also expressed his gratitude to the Department of Tourism-Zamboanga Peninsula for their active support to Isabela City in realizing their mandates for tourism, cultural and artistic promotions, promulgations and preservation.

Sustainable tourism in Isabela City de Basilan is one of the Top Priority Agenda of Mayor Hataman in her administration. 

 

DOT-9 Zampen Awards 2021 is an annual event to highlight and give credits to LGUs, personalities and partners who continue to promote DOT’s mandates in empowering communities through sustainable tourism and inclusive opportunities for all. (RVC/NDR/PIA Basilan)