DOT hosts sustainable consumption conference

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tour- ism (DOT) recently hosted the National Conference on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)’s Sustainable Tour- ism Program of the 10-Year Framework of Programs on Sustainable Consumption and Production (10YFP).

As defined by the UNEP, the SCP is “the use of services and related products which respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials, as well as the emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle of the service or product so as not to jeopardize the needs of further generations.”

According to Warner Andrada, chief of the Planning and Product Development Division of the DOT, the conference was conceptualized primarily to incorporate SCP in tourism planning and strategies. “By engaging tour- ism stakeholders and all concerned sectors through policy dialogue, we hope to raise awareness and give access to information on the sustain- ability of the tourism value chain,” he explained.

A sustainable tourism agenda is said to bring “economic viability, employment quality, social equity, visitor fulfillment, community well- being, resource efficiency. SCP practices can lead to a better quality of life,” Stefanos Fotiou of the UNEP said.

To achieve the SCP strategy in the tourism sector, there is a need for “integrated tour- ism management; a bottom up approach for the supply side, and a good interaction between nature and human through culture,” Lorraine Gatlabayan of UNEP proposed.

One of the resorts that pre- sented their SCP practices was Amarela Resort of Panglao, Bohol, an ASEAN Green Resort awardee. “Contrary to popular belief, going green is not expensive at all. One of the factors we considered in turning to green technology is practicality,” Lucas Nunag, owner of Amarela Resort, shared.

DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. said that destination marketing involves a more daunting task com- pared to selling the usual merchandise. “Selling experience involves many different factors, both tangible and in- tangible, most of which operate beyond our control. Crucial to our mandate is striking a balance between selling and safeguarding. And there is the very fine line that separates the two. That is to say, we ought to protect our natural resources but at the same time let the world see them while they are still there. As the entire world faces the perils of climate change, we need to come together in promoting the responsible use of our natural heritage,” the tourism chief said.

The conference was attended by representatives from government agencies, hotel and resort managers, tour operators and travel agents, and other tourism stakeholders. It also included a workshop on SCP in the tourism industry composed of enterprises from the accommodation, transportation, and tour operations sectors.