Ecotourism strategy, action plan launched

CEBU, Philippines - As the fifth World Ecotourism Conference opened in Cebu, the Department of Environment  and Natural Resources (DENR) has also officially launched the National Ecotourism Strategy (NES) and Action Plan for the period 2013 to 2022.

NES & Action Plan is the systematic approach to make sure that natural wonders of the country are properly utilized for the purpose of attracting local and international tourists, taking into consideration stewardship so that sustainability and environmental preservation are in place.

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje led the launching with the presence of Department of Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, as both agencies are the key players in keeping ecotourism in order and sustainable.

The NES aims to achieve an environmentally and socially responsible ecotourism development that safeguards the integrity and diversity of its natural resources, provides education and enjoyment to visitors and delivers larger and more widely distributed income and employment opportunities to the local communities and their constituents, especially the women, youth, indigenous peoples, and other vulnerable groups.

It operates on eight key strategies including (1) developing and marketing diversified and competitive  ecotourism products, (2) creating conducive environment for ecotourism investments, (3) maximizing economic benefits to the host communities, (4) promoting and developing  a culture of ecotourism, (5) strengthening institutional capacity, (6) developing and strengthening partnership, (7) establishing mechanisms for sustainable financing, (8) monitoring outcomes  and impacts.

The first NES was formulated for the period 2002 to 2012 following the recognition of ecotourism as sustainable tourism in the country through the Bohol Ecotourism Congress of 1999 and the main component of the recent NES is in response to findings of the first one. Assessment of the first NES yielded that not all sites have ecotourism plans and business plans for specific products to guide the development of ecotourism in the sites, and the sustainability of the ecotourism products.

Also it was found out that there is inadequate implementation of ecotourism standards and accreditation system to maintain quality and integrity, a tool to satisfy community and the visitors.

Further, results showed that carrying capacities of ecotourism areas are not determined to manage influx of visitors and expansion of facilities, lack of policies and procedures to encourage ecotourism investments.

Likewise, there is a need to formulate regional action plans to implement the NES, and facilitate the mainstreaming of the NES to the plans, programs and budgets of DENR, DOT, other government agencies and local government units.

The NES for 2002 to 2012 was not widely disseminated to the stakeholders to fully realize its implementation.

There is a need for a regular meeting of the bodies of Executive Order 111, mandating the NES, to discuss key issues, formulate policies and assess progress of NES implementation.  (FREEMAN)