By HENRY EMPEÑO |

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — For consistently hosting sports events throughout the year and thus helping position the Philippines as a competitive sports tourism destination worldwide, Subic Bay was named 2016-2017 “Destination of the Year” by the Philippine Sports Tourism Awards (PSTA).

The Cebu-based awards body that honors organizers and participants in the sports tourism industry presented a 14-inch gold trophy to the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) last week to signify its recognition of Subic as top sports tourism site for two consecutive years.

PSTA chairman Charles Lim told SBMA Chairman and Administrator Wilma T. Eisma that Subic received the PSTA’s nod after judges saw the consistency with which sports activities were held in the Freeport.

“There’s a variety of sports events held in Subic almost every month, and that’s really a plus factor,” Lim said, noting that Subic has hosted major events like the Ironman and Alaska races, as well as the annual regatta.

“I hope Subic will continue to keep up the momentum, and we look forward to the nomination again of Subic for 2018,” Lim added.

SBMA Chairman Eisma, meanwhile, said the new award only shows that Subic remains the sports destination in the country most preferred by local and international sports organizers.

“The award speaks well of the natural beauty and the unspoiled environment of Subic amidst continuous economic development,” Eisma said. “It means that Subic had successfully harnessed the synergy of sports and tourism to make it to Number 1 for two consecutive years.”

The SBMA chief also pointed out that Subic won the gold award for best sports tourism destination in the 2017 Sports Industries Awards and Conference Asia (SPIA Asia) held in Thailand, and brought home the bronze award for the same category last year.

According to Lim, sports tourism is now the fastest-growing component of the travel and sports industry.

He said that with Subic’s hosting some of the SEA Games events in November, the estimated 5,000 participants and officials that will join sports events here may bring along an average of three family members or friends, relatives or supporters with them.

“So the number could reach about 15,000 visitors. That means they will need at least 7,000 rooms, which would be a tremendous boost for the Subic economy,” Lim added.

The PSTA was organized in 2015 by the Philippine Sports Commission, Department of Tourism, Philippine Tourism Promotions Board, and Selrahco Management and Consultancy Services, as the lead private group. It is now managed by Selrahco-Primetime headed by Lim.