Best of Western Visayas Tourism Awards 2009 were awarded among tourism practitioners, organizations, establishments, private and local government sectors to honor their contributions in the development and promotion of the tourism industry during the Tourism Excellence Awards Night held at the Capiz Gym, Dec. 6.

        The awards Night was also in time with the Local Government Units’ (LGU) Night dubbed as “Gab-i sang Pagpasalamat,” which is one of the province’s highlight during the Sinadya sa Halaran Festival.

         Below are the awardees in their respective category:                        

Institutional Awards

1. WV Best Hotel (First Class) – L’Fisher Hotel, Bacolod City
2. WV Best Hotel (Standard Class) – The Sylvia Manor, Bacolod City
3. WV Best Resort (Class AAA) – Discovery Shores, Boracay
4. Special Award Tourism Council – Brgy. Dolores Tourism Council Inc., Nueva Valencia, Guimaras
5. Special Award Tourism Council – Sapal Brgy. Tourism Council, San Lorenzo, Guimaras
6. Special Award Tourism Council – Brgy. Salvacion Tourism Council Inc., Buenavista, Guimaras
7. Special Award Tourism Council – Brgy. Tourism Council of Tastasan, Buenavista, Guimaras
8. WV Best Tourism Council (Barangay) – Brgy. Hoskyn Tourism Council, Jordan, Guimaras
9. WV Best Tourism Oriented LGU (Municipality) – Nueva Valencia, Guimaras
10. Special Award Tourism Oriented LGU (Component City) – Silay City, Negros Occidental
11. WV Best Tourism Oriented LGU (Component City) – Bago City, Negros Occidental
12. WV Best Tourism Oriented LGU (Province) – Guimaras Province
13. WV Best Tourism Oriented LGU (Highly Urbanized City) – Bacolod City
14. WV Best Tourist Transport Operator – Nyala Tours

Individual Awards

1. WV Best Taxi Driver – Josel Malinaw, Faith Taxi, Bacolod City
2. WV Best Tour Guide – Melanie Ortega, Iloilo City
3. Special Award Tourism Officer – Angeles E. Gabinete, Guimaras
4. Special Award Tourism Officer  – Roselle Q. Ruiz, Aklan
5. WV Best Tourism Officer (Provincial Level) – Jennylind Cordero, Negros Occidental
6. WV Best Tourism Officer (Provincial Level) – Alphonsus Tesoro, Capiz
7. WV Best Tourism Officer (Component City) – Cristine Mansinares, Sipalay City

Creative Awards

1. Special Award Travel Writer – Gilbert Marin, Iloilo Province
2. WV Best Travel Writer – Luci Yunque, Talisay City
3. Special Award, Travel Publication – Ang Bagonhon, Bago City
4. Special Award, Travel Publication – Silay, The Sweet Life
5. Special Award, Travel Publication – Sunstar Bacolod

Special Awards

1. Ms. Elma Gerasmo, Bacolod City
2. Special Award Eco-Tourism Product – Balaring Mangrove
3. WV Best Eco Tourism Product – Culajao Mangrove Eco-Park
4. Special Award Destination (Emerging) – Lawi Marine Turtle Rescue Center
5. Special Award Destination (Emerging) – Sapal Weaving Village
6. WV Best Destination Award (Emerging)- Guisi Community-based Heritage Tourism Project

Lifetime Achievement Award

1. Manuel Villa, Jr.

Regional Director’s Awards

1. Gov. Victor Tanco, Province of Capiz
2. Severino Pacete
3. Jose Parreño, Jr.
4. GDR Taxi
5. Gov. Carlito Marquez, Province of Aklan

SPECIAL AWARDS

 (Outstanding participation in the Western Visayas Tourism Assembly Cultural Showcase)

1. Province of Capiz
2. Valladolid Ugyon Cultural Ensemble
3. U.S.A Kawilihan Dance troupe and Annie Divinagracia Sartorio School of Performing Arts.
4. Bacolod Masskara Cultural Performer
5. “Saad sang Leganes” Leganes National High School Performing Arts
6. Province of Guimaras
7. Teatro Paranublion
8. NVC Performing Arts Guild and Arts Council of Aklan Foundation

 (Outstanding participation in the Western Visayas Tourism Assembly Parade of Festivals)

1. Manggahan sang Guimaras Tribe
2. Bacolod Masskara Festival Dance Group
3. Tribu Busilak (Antique National School)
4. Pintaflores Festival of San Carlos City
5. Sinadya sa Halaran
6. Sigabong sang mga Kanyon Bago City
7. Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival
8. Kalibo Ati-atihan
9. Pasalamat Festival of La Carlota City
10. Kahilwayan Festival
11. Iloilo Dinagyang Festival
12. Ibajay Ati-ati

 (For unwavering support to the Western Visayas Tourism Assembly Travel Fair in showcasing the best tourism destinations, products, facilities and services.)

1. Province of Negros Occidental
2. Province of Antique
3. Province of Capiz
4. Bacolod City
5. Iloilo City
6. Province of Guimaras
7. Province of Aklan
8. Province of Iloilo