A display of world-class performances and Filipino talent highlighted the WTA gala, attended by government officials, industry leaders, and international media, and awardees from over 23 countries across Asia and Oceania.
The event gave a glimpse to Manila’s vibrant metropolis, where business and leisure travelers alike are offered a preview of the rich tapestry of Philippine culture, history, entertainment, and nightlife—from exploring the Walled City of Intramuros to discovering artisan markets and Manila’s thriving arts scene.
In her speech, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco emphasized the critical role tourism plays in the Philippines and affirmed the country’s readiness to host more global events like the WTA.
“Tourism is not just a driving force for our economy. It is a force for good for our country. The sector has created millions of jobs for Filipinos and empowered our local communities. We are determined to expanding tourism opportunities further by focusing on quality and sustainable tourism, ensuring that every visitor leaves with a deeper appreciation for the beauty and diversity of our nation. Today, the Philippines stands ready to host global events of all scales while maintaining our local charm and authenticity. We are a nation that rises to challenges, innovates with passion, and embraces every opportunity with optimism, exerting every effort towards our country becoming a tourism powerhouse in Asia,” the DOT chief said.
As a response, WTA Founder Graham Cooke shared an optimistic outlook on the global tourism industry. He said that in the Philippines, the country is targeting to welcome 7.7 million international visitors or near its pre-pandemic record in 2019.
“This would be nothing short of an outstanding achievement, and it’s a testament to the hard work, resilience and the ambition of the Department of Tourism and the nation’s resurgent private sector,” Cooke said.
“So, a formal welcome to the 31st Annual World Travel Awards, I will formally acknowledge the importance of the tourism sector to both regional and global economies, for making this incredible evening possible,” the WTA Founder added, expressing gratitude to the DOT, national government agencies, and private sector partners, who made the Philippines’ successful hosting of the WTA possible.
“I would also like to thank again each and every one of you here this evening; you have been recognized by our global voting audience as the leaders of tourism excellence. I know that your commitment to becoming the very best will, in turn, serve to drive up the standards across the industry and will raise the collective benchmark. It is only by always striving to improve, to conduct our business better, with greater customer care, compassion, and only by working together can we ensure that the travel industry continues to develop and prosper,” he added.
Established in 1993, the WTA aims to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. Today, it is regarded as the industry’s ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.
Each year, WTA covers the globe with a series of regional gala ceremonies staged to recognize and celebrate individual and collective success within each key geographical region.
The hosting of the gala ceremony in Manila marked the fourth leg of WTA’s Grand Tour 2024, a global search for the finest travel and tourism organizations covering six continents.
For more information on the WTA and complete list of 2024 winners, please visit the official WTA website.