Clark Fetes the 4th Philippine Sports Tourism Awardees

Press release

Clark Fetes the 4th Philippine Sports Tourism Awardees

Clark, Pampanga

The 4th Philippine Sports Tourism Awards was held on December 10, 2020 in Clark Pampanga  where it recognized and it celebrated the movers and shakers of Philippine sports tourism under strict health protocols imposed by the host city.

Fully supported by Clark Development Corporation with the City of Mabalacat, Smart Communications, Universal Robina Corporation, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, the 4th PSTA bestowed a total of 16 awards to private and public organizations and personalities who have greatly contributed to the sports tourism sector in the Philippines in 2019.

The movers and shakers of Philippine sports tourism were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the sector. From L-R: From left : Renato W. Lee lll (Sr Deputy Administrator, SBMA), Arrey Perez (Vice President, BCDA), Sonny Barrios representing Manny V. Pangilinan, Atty. Dianne Patawaran (Coca Cola Beverages Phils), Charles Lim (Founder & Chairman PSTA), Gen. Benjamin Defensor, Jr. (Vice Chairman, CDC), Mayor Felipe A. Remollo (City of Dumaguete), Meg Siozon (PTV4), Matt Attaway (The Mansion Boutique Hotel), Ramon Marchan (TRAP); Below stage: Carlo Sampan and Mikey Chua (Trisports Solutions)

The awardees of the 4th Philippine Sports Tourism Awards include  Manuel V. Pangilinan for Sports Tourism Personality of the Year (private), Mayor Felipe Remollo for Sports Tourism Personality of the Year (government), People’s Television Network for News Coverage of the Year, New Clark City for Sports Venue of the Year, Philippine Airlines for Airline of the Year, Resorts World Manila for Charity Event of the Year, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines for Event Sponsorship of the Year, The Mansion Boutique Hotel and Villas for Hotel of the Year, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority for Destination Marketing of the Year, Clark Development Corporation for Destination of the Year, Triathlon Association of the Philippines for Sports Association of the Year, TINMAN Ilocos Norte for Event of the Year (domestic), Ironman 70.3 for Event of the Year (International), Sunrise Events Inc. for Organizer of the Year (private), and Dumaguete City for Organizer of the Year (government).

While the pandemic has left a strain on the sports tourism sector in the country, PSTA Chairman and Founder Charles Lim shows confidence that it will be able to bounce back in some ways in the coming year. “This MICE event happening in Clark is to show we have gone an extra mile to practice safety protocols. PSTA could not just let the year pass without recognizing the efforts of athletes, event organizers, local governments, tourism officials and private individuals who have made 2019 a bumper year for sports and tourism,” says  Lim. *It was our privilege and an honor to recognize these people and entities.”
 
It was also appropriate for the awards to be held in Clark as Lim has proposed to initiate bids for sports events to be hosted jointly by Clark, Subic Bay and the New Clark City. The creation of this sports alliance augurs well to all three destinations as they complement one another in terms of facilities, promotions and management. 
Moreover, ‘bubble friendly’ sporting activities have also been initiated during the quarantine period. This includes the PBA Cup held in Clark Pampanga which housed players in a hotel facility while competing in a venue that’s a 10-minute ride away. These trailblazing sports initiatives that boost the spirit of sports while promoting safety and security in an unprecedented time, is a good omen to where the sports tourism sector is headed.
 
Lim thanked the Clark Development Corporation and the City of Mabalacat for hosting the 4th Philippine Sports Tourism Awards and the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Sports Commission for their continuous support since its inception.