MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine tourism sector is expected to encounter more challenges in terms of sustainability of destinations this year, which could also stem from the potential of the rising cruise tourism market.
“There will be more challenges next year as we take stock of the sustainability issues in the other destinations – Palawan, Bohol, Siargao, etc,”Fernando Roxas, executive director of the Asian Institute of Management Andrew Tan Center for Tourism, earlier told The STAR.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat earlier said that DOT will continue its push for sustainable tourism this year as it will focus on promoting alternative tourist destinations.
“But we will continue rehabilitating all the other tourist destinations especially those that do not follow environmental laws,” she added.
Roxas cited the cruise tourism market as a sector that the government must pay attention to in terms of sustainability issues.
“The economics of cruise ships ferrying Chinese tourists to other destinations within the country is so attractive,” Roxas said.
“Cruise tourism will alter the magnitude of sustainability challenges to our frail archipelagic geography,” he added.
Roxas said the government must consider not just the marketing aspect of attracting these tourists.
“Sustainable operations will be key,” he said.
Tourism Undersecretary and spokesperson Benito Bengzon Jr. earlier said they are currently coordinating with the local government unit of Boracay to determine protocols needed to be introduced in the cruise tourism market due to the carrying capacity in the island.
“Once we’ve sorted it out with the local government then we’ll come up with the guidelines in respect with the frequency of calls in the island and also the kind-- the number of cruise passengers that will be allowed in Boracay,”Bengzon said.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources(DENR) earlier commissioned a study on the carrying capacity of Boracay, which found that the island and its swimming areas can only support 55,757 people per day.This is composed of 36,542 of residents and workers and 19,215 tourists, with 6,405 tourists allowed to enter the island per day.
The Philippines is aiming to develop its cruise tourism product with the implementation of the National Cruise Development Strategy(NCTDS).
Under the NCTDS, the country aims to have 656,635 cruise passengers from 300 ports of calls by the end of 2022.
In 2017, the Philippines welcomed 140 port of calls for a total of 114,437 cruise passengers.