Makati recognized for sustainable urban tourism development

‘FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS’ RETURNS One of the Christmas crowd-drawers of the Makati City central business district, the Festival of Lights is formally switched on to the cheer of spectators at Ayala Triangle Garden on Thursday night after a two-year absence due to the pandemic lockdowns. —GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — Makati City has won recognition for sustainable urban tourism development at the first Philippine Tourism Excellence Awards of the Asian Institute of Management and Megaworld Foundation.

Makati Mayor Abby Binay on Saturday said the city is “honored and humbled” by the recognition under the Good Local Governance category of the awards.

“We will continue to work hard to provide tourists with premium hospitality, entertainment options, and cultural attractions,” Binay said in a statement.

Binay credited the city’s recognition to activities like town fiestas and other cultural programs and the free walking tours around the city to showcase its lesser known sites. She added that Makati also launched the MakaTurismo website last September 28.

“Through initiatives like these, we hope to inspire more people to visit Makati and experience its dynamic urban culture. Makati remains one of the top tourist destinations in the country, and we are confident that it will continue to be recognized as a model for sustainable urban tourism development in the years to come,” she said.

The first Philippine Tourism Excellence Awards was held on Friday at the Sheraton Manila Hotel in Pasay City.

/MUF