35th ASEANTA Tourism Excellence Awards Open in Cebu.
The 35th ASEANTA Tourism Excellence Awards were formally inaugurated in Cebu, Philippines, reaffirming ASEAN’s collective commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation in tourism. The ceremony was held as part of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026 and attended by senior government officials, tourism leaders, award winners, and regional media.
Opening the event, Eddy Krismeidi Soemawilaga, President of the ASEAN Tourism Association (ASEANTA), described the Awards as a key regional platform that has, for 35 years, recognised excellence and leadership across the ASEAN tourism industry. He noted that the Awards go beyond celebration, serving as a benchmark for best practices and responsible tourism development.
The ASEANTA President acknowledged the strong support of the Philippine tourism authorities and regional partners, whose collaboration contributed to the successful hosting of this milestone edition. He also highlighted the transparent and merit-based evaluation process carried out by an independent jury.
This year’s award recipients represent a wide spectrum of tourism achievements, including sustainability initiatives, cultural heritage preservation, eco-tourism, hospitality excellence, and innovative marketing. The Awards, he said, play an important role in strengthening ASEAN’s global tourism positioning and translating regional tourism strategies into tangible outcomes on the ground.
