Carlo Carrasco, On November 21, 2011

General Santos City (Gensan) –  The said city continued to make waves in tourism as it gained honors again  during the recent 12th Association of Tourism Officers of the  Philippines (ATOP) National Convention which was held in Roxas City, Capiz.

Among  the thirty-four cities that competed in various categories for the awards held  from October 3 to 6, Gensan was  easily the most notable competitor winning no less than four awards.

Under  the Best Tourism Event of the Philippines class, Gensan was declared champion  in the Culture & Arts category  (Provincial, city and municipal level) for its Kalilang 2011. The city also won  the Sports & Wellness category  (Provincial, city and municipal level) with its 4th Gensan Eco-Karera event.

Gensan’s  6th NTW Celebration helped the city grab the award under the Best National Tourism Week (NTW) category (Provincial, city and municipal level). And finally, Gregory Dominic  of was hailed as the Best Tourism Officer  of the Philippines giving Gensan another  honor.

With  four awards won, General Santos City proved that its efforts on keeping up with other cities in the competitive  tourism industry continue to deliver solid results showing that its events and  celebrations are worthy of recognition on the national level.

Gensan’s  delegation at the 12 ATOP National Convention was then led by city tourism  officer and ATOP National vice-president for Mindanao, Maria Cora C. Tito and its  other members include Dianne Kristine Acharon, Best Tourism Officer of the Philippines finalist Gregory Dominic  Velos, Darlon Solana, Stewart Ang, Ma. Charina Salazar-Cruz, Shernie Limbo and  Hosen Ngilay. The delegation was sent to the event by General Santos City mayor Darlene Antonino-Custodio.

In  addition to winning numerous awards, General  Santos City attracted over 60,000 tourists arrivals in 2010 and as of this  writing the city continued to break records with 73,278 arrivals reached this  year alone. Not surprisingly, the Kalilangan Festival was a major factor on  attracting tourists as well as generating good business revenues for the city.