Visayas islands: Top Ranked RP's Eco-tourism Destinations

 CEBU, Philippines - Eco-tourism's "must-see" sites/attractions are not created equal. And many (eco-tourisms) are called but only few are chosen if this saying is any gauge.

The Visayas islands made it to the top nine of the country's top ranked, not just tourism, but eco-tourism destinations in the country. 

Citing a social media survey, U. S. ecotourism expert and consultant Dr. Greg Ringer, Ph. D., bared this during the one-day seminar dubbed, "Eco-tourism. It's more Fun in the Philippines." The Embassy of the United States and the Department of Tourism (DOT) jointly sponsored the seminar held at Soledad Suites in this city Friday (July 13, 2012).

The elite nine eco-tourist destinations include Bohol, Boracay, Padre Burgos (Southern Leyte) Guimaras island, Siquijor province, Sibuyan island, Samar, Sipalay (Neg. Occ) and Malapascua island in Cebu.

Malapascua, Cebu is voted by its beach resort and scuba and Bohol by its Tarsier conservation, scuba and jungles, said the survey. Boracay by its white beach; Padre Burgos - swim with whale sharks; Guimaras --- mountain bike; Siquijor --- traditional healers; Sibuyan island ---wildlife; Samar ---spelunking; and Sipalay ---Punta Ballo & Sugar Beach.

Sustainability

Probably, the centerpiece of eco-tourism is the promise of sustainability that makes stakeholders and visitors co-exist and enjoy or connect with nature, said an environmentalist.

The tourism industry often goes with the following WikiPilipinas definition. "Ecotourism in the Philippines is a form of sustainable tourism within a natural and cultural heritage area where community participation, protection and management of natural resources, cultural and indigenous knowledge and practices, environmental education and ethics as well as economic benefits are fostered and pursued for the enrichment of host communities and satisfaction of visitors."

To achieve this, a list of do's and don't's must be drawn and applicable to the needs of eco-tourism industry. The set of standard of eco-tourism in one place may not be applicable to the other, said one participant. The first National Eco-Tourism Congress held in this city on October 1999 to address pressing concerns and define eco-tourism as guide for future reference.

Dr. Ringer gave his piece that eco-tourism could be both concerned about the economy and ecology.

Eco-tourism: For fun or fund of it?

But one of the factors that affect eco-tourism is the high cost. Tourism in the Philippines is "becoming westernized or commercialized," Ringer said.

The Mission Report of the German GTZ Consultancy to Identify Possible Interventions to Support Tourism Development in the Visayas noted the following: Central Visayas, including Bohol, is becoming an expensive tourist destination.  "At present, hotels and resorts in Cebu, Boracay and Panglao are fully booked during peak months. And the lack of hotel rooms leads to remarkably higher prices, making Central Philippines/ Visayas an expensive destination."

Earlier, Ms. Josephine Cabarrus, head of the Bohol Tourism Office (BTO) said that "there is so much business" as an impetus in Bohol tourism industry, citing booming of investments in terms of infrastructure poured by private companies. The tourism head stressed that booming tourism business here would not only be gauged through arrivals but also in the number of investment poured in the province.

A survey/study conducted last year here has recommended some measures (Review of Prices/ Rates of Resorts/ Hotels) "A periodic review of the prices/ rates of resorts/ hotels should be made to discourage overcharging which could shun away tourists.This move should be spearheaded by the Provincial Government through the Provincial Tourism Council.   If owners of resorts/ hotels do not show interest to make their rates competitive with the rates in other provinces, the Provincial Government should intensify the marketing of business establishments which can offer affordable rates without sacrificing the quality of their services.

According to the survey, "Overcharging of transportation services in Bohol has been commonly experienced by tourists. The appropriate government agency should strictly regulate the rates." This may somehow give substance to the contention that "tourism in the Philippines is becoming westernized and commercialized."

The survey added that in enhancing tourists' satisfaction, the Provincial Tourism Management "should enhance or create a system to periodically monitor tourist satisfaction in Bohol. This can be made possible through the coordination of the various establishments visited by the tourists as well as with the guides, drivers and community stakeholders."

Measurement

Measuring eco-tourism success or sustainability varies. Others measure tourism by mere arrivals. But it doesn't always follow that more arrivals can spin the economy or create job opportunities.

Mr. William B. Cocks, assistant Cultural Affairs Officer of the United States Embassy, said that the tourism industry is rebounding and trending, contributing to economy as much as $919 billion worldwide after recession not too long ago.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as quoted by the embassy, has this to say: "Over time, an ever increasing number of destinations have opened up and invested in tourism development, turning modern tourism into key driver of socio-economic progress through the creation of jobs and enterprise, infrastructure development and the export revenue earned."

In fact, UNWTO said, tourism accounts as fourth as main source of foreign exchange income and the "number one export category, creating much needed employment and opportunities for development" along with fuels and chemical industries and automotive products. It is contributing 30% to the world's exports of commercial services and 6% of the overall exports of goods and services.

Number of arrivals "grew faster," posting about 8% in developing economies including the Philippines, higher than 5% in advanced countries after bouncing back from economic downturn in recent years, UNWTO pointed out. Uninterrupted growth in arrivals is evident, showing 277 million in 1980 from measly 25 million in 1950. It jumped rapidly to 435 million in 1990 to 675 million in 2000 and 940 million in current count.

In Bohol, tourist arrivals, both foreign and domestic, hit a total of 553,852 mark last year (2011), higher by 33,772, if compared to 2010's 520,676, data from the Bohol Tourism Office showed.  In year 2009, tourist arrivals here reached 461,181, the same data showed. Based on the DOT's count, Bohol is at number eight (8) with 143,276 tourist volume for the January-May 2010 period. This is higher by 2.96% compared to 139,162 during the same period in 2009.

Camarines Sur at number 4 with 348,694 arrivals of same period this year. Camiguin, a small island, is fast catching up with Bohol at number 9 with 105,262 arrivals of same period or an increase of 16.61% compared to 90,269 in 2009. So far, it is the fastest (16.61%) growing tourist destination outside Metro Manila (17.1%).

Other top destinations with high arrivals are Metro Manila, 848,518; Cebu City, 734,531; Boracay, (no, 3), 378,694; Baguio (no. 5), 318,677; DAvao City (No. 6), 275,658; Zambales (No. 7), 159,025; and Negros Oriental (No. 10), 102,394.Overall, the country posted a total of 3,653,703 arrivals, or 5.37% growth, including Cagayan Valley, 83,822; Ilocos Norte, 81,724; and Puerto Princesa, 73,986 of the same period, DOT said.

Concerns/challenges

The discussion group tackled pressing concerns and challenges to somehow improve tourism and package attractions.

Dr. Ringer ably presented the "Benefits of Eco-tourism" industry that is gaining traction as far as arrivals and revenues generated are concerned. Included in his lecture were the "Challenges of Eco-tourism" and the "International Certification Programs and Pro-Active Management Practices for 21st Century."

The discussion group was attended by top officials of the provincial and regional offices/agencies, such as, Department of trade and Industry with director Aster Ratilla, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), tourism officers from the municipalities, tour guides in the region and other stakeholders.

He has outlined some of guidelines in improving eco-tourism industry. These include: hotels renovation to be sustainable guest stay; more tourists seek cultural/environment destinations; eco-certification standards become more critical for visitors; and social media and independent online continue to grow.

Other considerations are market demand increases worldwide but geographically uneven; revenue management and forecasts now even more critical; proliferation of travel distribution channels continue to impact pricing; brands continue to expand global share; domestic and international visitor growth continues; and new experience and destinations continue to prosper. Philippine tourism challenges, Bohol included, demand resolve to make it afloat. These challenges are in the form of "more visitors, less revenue" and population boom and corresponding poverty with 25% are living below poverty threshold, Ringer said.

Other factors that may impact eco-tourism industry include accusation of corruption and socio-economic inequality. Pressure for productivity and growth that somehow resulted to accelerated "environmental stress and degradation" and how to sustain eco-tourism are part of the overall challenges, he said.

Ringer has shared his studies abroad in different places in the continents he's been to in past years. He said that to make eco-tourism sustained, the support for indigenous beliefs and knowledge must be respected and endemic eco-systems protected. Educating the visitors is also part of the eco-tourism thrusts. Employing gateway residents and limiting the loss of heritage and biodiversity assets of eco-tourist sites are also a must.

Dr. Ringer has introduced how to best manage eco-tourism for sustainability. Eco-tourism managers/stakeholders should establish market demand by capitalizing on visitor eco-interest and craft appropriate place-centered learning as well as view natural events and political conflict as attraction.

He also advised the eco-managers to determine best planning practices and eco-certification standards applicable in the local eco-tourist sites by conservation and enhancing biodiversity and alleviate poverty and social inequality. And equally important is to have an understanding of users' motives and behavior by effecting meaningful long-term in attitudes and expectations of the visitors.   (FREEMAN)