The Department of Tourism-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOT-CAR) said the region’s stakeholders have met international standards, as evidenced by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) tourism awards the area will receive later this month.

“This means that our stakeholders are sustaining the effort to keep up with international standards for client service and are upholding environmental sustainability efforts,” DOT-CAR Director Jovita Ganongan said in a media interview here Monday.

Ganongan said there are five exceptional tourism destinations and facilities in the region that are among the ASEAN Tourism Awards 2026 awardees.

The awardees include the Baguio Country Club’s Cordillera Convention Hall as MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) under the venue category; the BCC’s Infinity Garden (event venue category); Le Monet Hotel in Baguio City (ASEAN Green hotel award); Ganduyan Eco-Trail and Farm Experience (ASEAN sustainable tourism award rural category); and Tabuk City (ASEAN Clean tourist city award).

“These honors recognize excellence, sustainability, and global competitiveness –affirming CAR’s strong commitment to upholding world-class tourism standards,” Ganongan said.

The annual awarding will take place during the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Cebu on Jan. 30.

Ganongan highlighted that tourism criteria extend beyond marketing, prioritizing sustainable objectives such as supporting communities through “green operations” and ensuring that local residents benefit from tourism.

She said recycling, sustainable consumption, production, energy conservation, and community involvement are part of the sustainable criteria, alongside the economic contribution to sustainable development.

“We are aligning with international standards. Foreign travelers seek sustainable products, and we’re proud that our region offers tourism village immersions, cultural experiences, and community-based tourism,” Ganongan said. (PNA)