Responsible tourism
We enter into a week made slower by the observance of Holy Week. Here's a week when we can transcend our worldly concerns and spend more time reflecting on things personal and social.
This year, what springs to my mind is the need for responsible tourism. This is in the wake of the government's planned closure of Boracay Island to tourists to make way for its rehabilitation.
While closures and slowing down of economic activity are typically seen as bad especially to the workers and the community affected, this one in Boracay does not bother me at all. (I've never been to Boracay, maybe because I have this natural aversion for super touristy places.)
In a world enveloped by mindless consumerism, I think we will be better off in the long term to deal now with such issues that challenge our attitudes and perspectives about tourism.
One such attitude is the feeling that as long as we have the money to spend, we have every right to experience the splendor of a popular tourism destination just like everyone else. This results to frenzied and unsustainable tourism practices which ultimately destroy nature.
In many cases, it is not only the environment that suffers. For while the community benefits from the influx of tourism currency, it will sooner or later suffer from disruption of the quality of life of its citizens.
It is not surprising to note about how little we as tourists think about our role in the tourism ecosystem as we are simply focused on maximizing the sensory experience and adventure we can get from the money we spend.
Thus, in the long run, both the environment and the community suffer. Boracay Island is a testament to that fact.
As early as 2006, an external evaluation brief published by the Japan International Cooperation Agency already confirmed that local governments in the island have not adhered to the master plan which includes the development of a nature preserve north of the island and the prohibition of construction within a range of 25 meters from the coastline. It noted that construction of large-scale foreign-financed hotels was progressing in some of the areas which have been stipulated as nature preserves within the master plan.
Now it has reached a point that an interagency task force formed by Malacañang has recommended the closure of the island to foreign and local tourists for at least six months. Dirty water, shrinking of the beach area, and solid waste and air pollution as a result of overcrowding are cited as among the reasons for the planned temporary shutdown.
It is not just the local government and resort operators who are to blame for this tragedy. We too as tourists are at fault for being passive, for being ignorant of our duties as visitors to the most beautiful places the earth has to offer. Everyone has a role to play, and that foremost requires a change in perspective.
This Holy Week, some of us will be heading off to the beaches or to beautiful places where we could relax and reflect. It might be a good opportunity to try the following positive and sustainable perspective on tourism.
Learn about the culture and customs of the place you visit. Shun stereotypes and develop friendship among the locals. Be mindful of your impact on the community and its environment. And know how tourism can contribute to the improvement of the community's quality of life.
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