PGLU HOSTS TOUR GUIDING COMPETITION FOR NATIONAL TOURISM MONTH
By: Joy Ann L. Gurtiza, GPC-LUPTO; Camille R. Bumatay, PIO | Photos By: Mico Salamanca, LUPTO | Date: September 11, 2024
In celebration of National Tourism Month, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) through the La Union Provincial Tourism Office (LUPTO) hosted the GIYA: Tour Guiding Competition on September 11, 2024. This event brought together 10 talented tourism students from various institutions, including Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University – Mid La Union Campus, LORMA Colleges, Polytechnic College of La Union, Saint Louis College, and Sea and Sky College.
The competition provided a platform for these students to showcase their skills in guiding tourists and stakeholders through selected tourist attractions, emphasizing the rich culture and natural beauty of the Province of La Union. The sites featured in the competition included the Eagle of the North, Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Charity, and Agoo Eco Park in Agoo; Grape Farms, Uvas Café, and Saints Peter and Paul Church in Bauang; L&D Citrus Farm in Naguilian; and the La Union Provincial Capitol in the City of San Fernando.
Student competitors were evaluated based on their delivery in two main categories: on-site and in-transit. Participants demonstrated not only their knowledge of the attractions but also their potential as future leaders in the tourism industry. The top three competitors, listed in no particular order, were Michael James D. Villanueva from LORMA Colleges, Katrina Kaye Liberato from Sea and Sky College, and Elaija Grace L. Cariño from Saint Louis College. Their final placements will be announced and awarded during the La Union Tourism Summit, scheduled for September 25, 2024, at the La Union Convention Center in the City of San Fernando, La Union.
This competition was presented in partnership with the La Union Alliance of Travel and Tour Agencies, the La Union Farm Tourism Association, and the Association of Active Tour Guides in La Union.
Representing Gov. Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David, Mr. Julius A. Manabat, in-charge of the LUPTO, expressed the significance of the event, stating, “The GIYA Tour Guiding Competition is a significant step in nurturing a pool of skilled tourist guides who will represent La Union. By honing these talents, we aim to enhance the overall tourism experience in our province.”
Aligned with the call for #LaUnionPROBINSYAnihan, the PGLU continues to support initiatives that foster growth in the tourism sector, striving to position La Union as a premier destination in the Philippines.
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