Boracay rehab: Philippines’ template to sustainable tourism

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippines has bannered its Boracay success story for its strong stance in making the country as one of the trailblazers in sustainable tourism in Asia Pacific.

DOT assistant secretary Arturo Boncato spoke before close to 400 delegates of the recently concluded Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Summit held at the Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, saying that the Boracay rehab last year was just the start of the Philippines’ journey towards sustainable tourism.

“Philippines is entering a new year in making sustainable tourism a reality—using Boracay as template,” Boncato reiterated the country’s commitment to achieve a balanced tourism sector.

Boncato reported to Asia Pacific tourism stakeholders that few months after the Boracay experience, “we are seeing a new scenery, a new reality.”

He said the Philippines is going to replicate what it did to Boracay in other islands in the Philippines, to ensure that sustainable tourism is being uphold even in the remotest island in the country.

What is encouraging, he added is the new generation of tourism players in the country, specifically the decision makers are not difficult to convince, in terms of putting investments on sustainability.

“In the past putting peso first was a priority,” said Boncato explaining that the shift is

taking place now, as the new generation stakeholders are willing to put money/pesos in protecting the environment.

While “sustainability” has become a “sexy word” in today’s generation, Boncato said the Philippines is going beyond that and it is putting more efforts in making sustainability as a lifestyle and be part of the country’s tourism culture. (FREEMAN)