ORMOC CITY — Steering local governance toward sustainable, tech-enabled destination management, the second day of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) National Convention 2026 convened industry leaders, government delegates, and regional stakeholders at the Ormoc City Superdome on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
The General Assembly and Plenary Session centered on strategic strategies to bolster the Philippine tourism sector through inclusive policy planning, artificial intelligence, destination commerce, cultural preservation, and sports tourism.
Plenary Insights Driving Modern Tourism Governance
Distinguished speakers addressed key opportunities for local government units across the country during the day-long session:
Data-Driven & Inclusive Planning: EnP. Girlie Labastilla, President of BIODEV, emphasized leveraging empirical data and community-led inclusive planning to design resilient regional tourism frameworks.
Retirement Industry Potential: Hon. Bob Zozobrado, Chief Executive Officer of the Philippine Retirement Authority, detailed how expanding local retirement infrastructure directly generates sustainable economic livelihoods for host communities.
Transitioning To Destination Commerce: Shaira Dizon, Business Development Executive at Simple Night, presented modern frameworks for moving beyond conventional promotional marketing into integrated digital commercial ecosystems.
Cultural Heritage As Local Brands: Carlo Ebeo, National Program Coordinator for the National Museum of the Philippines, advocated for weaving cultural heritage and creative industries into distinct local destination identities.
AI And Digital Transformation: Professor Maria Criselda Badilla explored the disruptive role of digital tools and artificial intelligence in re-engineering visitor experiences and municipal tourism operations.
Unlocking Sports Tourism: Hon. John Patrick Gregorio, Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, highlighted how hosting regional and national sporting events acts as a powerful driver for regional economic growth and destination visibility.
Culminating In The ATOP Pearl Awards
The three-day national gathering continues on Wednesday evening, October 21, with the staging of the ATOP Pearl Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements, local governance excellence, and sustainable tourism practices across Philippine municipalities, cities, and provinces.
