MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) recently honored the country’s top 10 resorts and hotels which received the prestigious Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Green Hotel Award at the ASEAN Tourism Fair in Brunei Darussalam.
ASEAN Green Hotels are recognized for their initiatives on worldwide environment and energy conservation.
“With the increasingly alarming environmental changes, we commend these tourism establishments for their outstanding efforts to create earth-friendly practices in their daily operations. We are proud that our country is among those that strongly advocate ecotourism,” said Ace Durano, Secretary of Tourism.
Chosen to receive the ASEAN Green Hotel Recognition Awards were: Sofitel Philippine Plaza, Edsa Shangri-La and Makati Shangri-La, all in Manila; Lagen Island Resort and Miniloc Island Resort in Palawan; Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa and Hilton Cebu Resort & Spa in Cebu; Nature’s Village Resort in Talisay, Bacolod; Eden Nature Park & Resort and Marco Polo Hotel, both in Davao.
In the previous year, El Nido Resorts (Lagen and Miniloc) and Shangri-La Mactan, Edsa and Makati received the recognition.
“Our recipients have doubled this year, proving the commitment of stakeholders to uphold responsible travel,” said Usec. Eduardo Jarque, Jr., Tourism Planning and Promotions.
According to Victoria Jasmin, director of the Office of Tourism Standards, “The Green Hotel Standard is essential in helping ASEAN to be a unique quality destination that is eco-friendly and profitable.”
A total of 81 tourism establishments in 10 ASEAN countries picked up this year’s ASEAN Green Hotel distinction.