Tourism is the answer

The Ramos Peace and Development (RPDEV) Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of peace and development in the Philippines, in partnership with the Department of Tourism and the department of Environment and Natural Resources, opened the year with a continuing series of conferences on sustainable tourism development across the country.

Entitled “Eco-Mismo,” the landmark road show project aims to help various locales in the country position themselves as top eco-tourism destinations. It likewise aims to provide a fora for local government officials and private sector representatives to share best practices and discuss possible solutions to challenges, both in policy and development in the fields of eco-tourism and eco-productivity.  Eco-Mismo also has made its way to the Visayas with stops in Cebu and Bohol recently.

The Cebu leg was held at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel  with leading figures in the tourism industry and Eco Productivity discussing relevant themes such as the conservation of the province’s natural and cultural resources; the role of government and private organizations in eco-productivity and tourism development; and effective tourist operations management, keeping in mind sustainable development of our destinations. The speakers included former President Fidel Ramos; Tourisim Secretary Ace Durano, chairperson Narzalina Lim; Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, WWF Philippines; Alan Cajes, VP DAP Center for Sustainable Human Development, and Mariglo Laririt of El Nido.

“This series of conferences is very timely because of the growing concerns over climate change and the global financial crisis that has exacerbated problems in the country’s tourism industry and our wider economy,” said Tourism Secretary Ace Durano. “It is imperative that we know how to plan and develop our destinations in the most sustainable way possible — keeping the balance between opening it to tourists, and preservation if we wish the future generations to still be able to enjoy the natural resources we have,” he added.

The Bohol segment was held at the Bohol Beach Club in Panglao Island. Talks focused on the issues relevant to islands tourism, including wastewater management, energy efficiency, clean development mechanisms, and solid waste management.

Tourism Undersecretary for planning and promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr., said, “More than promoting the country’s prime beaches and unspoilt coastlines, the Department has a strong focus on instilling awareness to tourists on the impacts of climate change, and how we should act.”

World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF)-Philippines vice chairman Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan, in his presentation added, “Tourism is the world’s largest industry, which comprises about 10-percent of total employment.” He said that given this magnitude, tourism will also be among the most affected industry with the impacts of climate change.  Tan gave a comprehensive presentation on the possible consequences of environmental decline to the country’s destinations.