Barangay Bojo in Aloguinsan, Cebu province has been named among the Best Tourism Villages by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) for its outstanding practices to promote eco-tourism and environmental sustainability.
The village in Cebu known for its world-famous Bojo River was announced as the lone entry of the Philippines in this year’s list of 44 villages chosen out of over 170 submissions from 75 countries.
Barangay Bojo joins villages around the world that stood out for their natural and cultural resources and “commitment to the development of tourism in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” in the list released on December 2, 2021.
The villages were evaluated by an independent Advisory Board based on a set of criteria covering areas such as Cultural and Natural Resources, Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources, Economic Sustainability, Social Sustainability, and Environmental Sustainability, among others.
In 2013, the village of Bojo recrafted its tourism vision, aiming by 2020 to become a “progressive town showcasing sustainable and people-centered development with strong partnership between local government and the community; safe and enjoyable place for residents, visitors and investors,” according to the UNWTO website.
Aside from Barangay Bojo, Barangay Tenani in Samar, Visayas was listed under the initiative’s Upgrade Programme of villages that will receive support from the UNWTO and its partners in improving elements of areas identified as gaps in the evaluation process.
The Best Tourism Villages initiative of the UNWTO was launched to advance the role of tourism in safeguarding rural villages, along with their landscapes, natural and cultural diversity, and their local values and activities, including local gastronomy.
The UNWTO has previously designated Filipina Chef Maria Margarita A. Forés as its Ambassador for Gastronomy Tourism.
Argao, a coastal town along Cebu Strait, is embracing modern eco-sports as part of its tourism offerings.
SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to the people of Barangay Bojo in Aloguinsan, Cebu province for working towards outstanding practices to promote eco-tourism and environmental sustainability.
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