Negros Occidental bagged the Grand Winner Award for Best Tourism Promotion Publication in this year’s Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards held in Tagaytay City, yesterday, as part of the 23rd ATOP National Convention.

The “Halin sa Kusina-Food Stories from the People of Negros Occidental” book was the featured publication.

Sipalay City was also named Grand Winner (City Category) for the Best Tourism Month Celebration; first runner-up for Best Tourism Souvenir (food category) and second runner-up for Best Tourism Souvenir (non-food category) for its Paglaum Wood Token.

Meanwhile, Sagay City was named Grand Winner for Best Practices on Community-Based Responsible Tourism for its Eco-Tourism Enterprise Initiative at the Sagay Marine Reserve First Eco-Tourism Loop; 1st runner-up in the Best Tourism Promotion (brochure), and 2nd runner-up for the Best Program for Culture and the Arts for Syano Artlink and Sagay City Arts Month celebration.

Silay City also won 2nd runner-up for the Best Tourism Event (Festival) featuring The Legend of Kansilay: A Festival on Animism.