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Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines

The Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines or ATOP was established on October 4, 2001 during its 1 st National Convention at the Dynasty Court Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City. It was hosted by the Association of Tourism Officers of Northern Mindanao and sponsored by the Department of Tourism and Northern Mindanao Tourism Council. The charter president is Mr. Catalino E. Chan III, then provincial tourism officer of Camiguin.

ATOP is an organization of tourism officers from all over the country regardless of their appointment status. Founded to foster unity in the tourism industry and to promote the welfare of its members and the traveling public, ATOP has evolved into a crucial player in the various levels of the tourism industry. Working closely with the Department of Tourism and other tourism-oriented organizations, ATOP is articulating issues and concerns affecting tourism and is promoting honesty and integrity in its ranks.

With a vision that seeks to become the premier tourism organization, ATOP is an active partner of the government in the country’s economic, social and cultural development programs.

The ATOP mission:

• Strengthen ATOP capabilities for tourism development;
• To strive towards the highest standards of services and information for tourist;
• To foster unity in the tourism industry and to promote the welfare of it’s member and other partners;
• To uphold the dignity in the tourism industry and to strive towards professionalization;
• Promote, develop and maintain an atmosphere of mutual assistance and understanding among members, and;
• To increase membership in both the metropolis and the provinces.

The ATOP goals:

• To build a strong, dynamic and effective organization;
• Maintain constant communication and cooperation with other tourist-related organizations;
• Attain financial stability towards self-sufficiency, and;
• To propose a bill in congress to make the position of tourism officer as a mandatory position in every LGU in the country.

ATOP has conducted annual conventions in Cagayan de Oro, Olongapo, Dumaguete, Surigao, Palawan, Negros Occidental, South Cotabato and Camarines Sur and this coming October 2-5, 2008 , the 9th ATOP Convention will be held in Iloilo City and Guimaras. The Association of the Tourism Officers of the Philippines is the implementing arm of the Department of Tourism down to the grassroots level. Considering the important role it plays in the nation building, the board of directors came up with Best Tourism Practices Awards which seek to recognize and honor the most outstanding/significant tourism projects and programs and tourism officers who have excelled in their respective local government units.

It is for this reason that ATOP decided to institutionalize an annual system of recognition of distinguished tourism personalities, groups, and events. The ATOP Best Tourism Practices Awards hope to celebrate the best in the tourism industry, which has become the pillar of the society.

The following are the nomination forms for the different categories:

• Best Tourism Event
• Best Tourism Month Celebration
• Outstanding Local Tourism Officer Organization
• Most Outstanding Tourism Officer