Cebu’s Hospitality Stars Take Center Stage as 59 Contenders Vie for 7 Awards
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Fifty-nine contenders are vying for seven awards in the 5th Cebu Tourism & Hospitality Awards (CTHA) 2026, as the annual program recognizes professionals shaping Cebu’s tourism and hospitality industry. The winners will be announced Sept. 22 at Ayala Center Cebu, organizers said during a media briefing Wednesday at Seda Ayala Center Cebu.
This year’s CTHA carries the theme “Roots and Resilience: Celebrating Cebu’s Hospitality Champions,” highlighting the people working behind the scenes and on the frontlines to sustain Cebu’s reputation as a leading tourism destination.
The awards feature seven categories — five individual and two special awards — recognizing excellence beyond technical skills and experience. Organizers said this year’s judging takes a holistic approach, considering candidates’ confidence, teamwork, academic and professional achievements, continuous development and overall personality.
At the center of the competition is Filipino hospitality, which organizers described as a distinctive strength that continues to set the country’s tourism industry apart.
The awards are organized by the Hotel Resort & Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRACI), a non-stock, nonprofit organization established in 1984. The group currently has 127 members representing hotels, resorts, restaurants, allied businesses and academic institutions.
HRRACI has positioned the awards as a platform to recognize individuals who contribute to Cebu’s tourism and hospitality sector while encouraging continued professional development and excellence.
The 59 candidates represent a pool of professionals competing for recognition as among Cebu’s leading hospitality practitioners. Their evaluation goes beyond workplace performance, with the judging process also considering personal qualities, achievements and commitment to continuous learning.
The awards come as Cebu’s tourism and hospitality sector continues to play a major role in the province’s economy and destination appeal. Hotels, resorts, restaurants and related businesses serve a growing mix of local and international visitors, creating demand for skilled professionals capable of delivering consistent service.
For the organizers, recognizing these workers is also a way of emphasizing the people behind Cebu’s tourism experience.
The CTHA 2026 winners will be revealed Sept. 22 at Ayala Center Cebu, where the seven award categories will culminate in the recognition of this year’s hospitality champions.
Until then, the central question remains: among 59 contenders, who will rise to represent the best of Cebu’s hospitality?
59 contenders. 7 awards. One celebration of Cebuano hospitality.
#CTHA2026 #RootsAndResilience #CebuHospitality #CebuTourism #HRRACI
Comments
Post a Comment