MANILA, Philippines - SKAL International Makati announced the awardees for this year’s SKAL International Tourism Personality Awards.
This year’s awarding marks the 25th year of the awards and the 34th founding anniversary of SKAL International Makati.
The awarding ceremony will be held on Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. at the Grand Ballroom of the New World Makati Hotel in Makati City .
“We are honored to announce the distinguished awardees for this year’s SKAL International Tourism Personality Awards whose individual work and undertakings have immensely contributed to the growth of the tourism industry,” SKAL International Awards chairman Jaime Bautista said.
The Tourism Personality Awards is co-organized with the Department of Tourism (DOT), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), New World Makati Hotel, and Rotary Club of Manila and is given to individuals whose achievements and contribution have created a significant impact on the tourism industry.
This year’s awardees and their categories are Philippine Media Group President and CEO Jaime Miguel Belmonte, Newspaper of the Year; Philippine Star Columnist Cito Beltran, Hospitality Education; SM Prime Holdings, Inc. CEO Hans Sy, Integrated Tourism Enterprises; Golden Arches Development Corp. (McDonalds Philippines) chairman George Yang, International Fast Food Chain; Rustan Coffee Corp. president Noey Tantoco Lopez, International Coffee Company (Starbucks Philippines); Stores Specialists, Inc. EVP Anthony Tantoco Huang, Jr., Shopping Tourism; Holiday Inn and Suites Makati general manager Christian Pirodon, Hotel; Huma Island Resort and Spa owner Hamad Al Tuwaijri, Resort; New World Makati Hotel, Best Hotel for 2015; Jerry Limpe, Airline General Sales Agent (GSA); Rajah Travel Corp. president Aileen Clemente, Travel Agency; Philippine Airlines SVP for Operations Ismael Augusto Gozon, Airline; Abdallah Okasha, Overseas Skalleague; International School of Sustainable Tourism chairman/president Mina Gabor, Sustainable Tourism Development; PEP (Premier Event Plus) Group president Joel Pascual, Exhibition; Tourism Promotions Board COO Domingo Ramon Enerio III, Government Service for Tourism Promotions; Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison, Government Service; GMA 7 host and international multi-awardee, Maria Jessica Soho, Tourism Personality in Broadcast Journalism; ABS CBN COO Carlo Lopez Katigbak, TV Station of the Year; The Amazing Race Philippines, Tourism Reality TV Show; Kris Aquino, Hall of Fame TV Host Award; James Carlos “Bimby” Yap, Jr., Youngest Tourism Media Personality; Kris TV, Hall of Fame for Travel Show.
SKAL International is a worldwide association of travel and tourism professionals promoting global tourism and friendship. Founded in 1932 in Paris, it is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. SKAL Makati was founded in August 1981 and is the second oldest club in the Philippines after SKAL Manila.