EDITORIAL - Top travel destination

The natural wonders have been around for a long time and several have even deteriorated over the years. Still, being cited by a leading magazine as one of the top 25 “new” travel destinations in the world in 2010 is an honor that must be sustained by the Philippines.

National Geographic, in its “adventure” issue this month, said the Philippines has “as many islands as the Caribbean and some of the most spectacular reefs on the planet.” A 12-day trip is being organized, costing $3,300 per traveler, from the highlands of the Cordilleras to the coral reefs of the Visayas, according to the magazine article. It cited the indigenous irrigation system used for the rice terraces in Ifugao, plus the rich marine biodiversity in the country.

In fact a spot just a short drive from Metro Manila, the Verde Island Passage off Puerto Galera, has been classified in a study by the US Smithsonian Institute as the “center of the center for marine biodiversity” in the world. But the passage is threatened by commercial shipping and pollution, and suffered a few months ago from a massive infestation of starfish that destroyed corals.

Environmental advocates are trying to save the country’s depleted coral reefs from destructive forms of fishing, pollution and poaching. Though some success has been achieved, it has been an uphill battle. Meanwhile, some tourist destinations are victims of their own success; Boracay island, with its spectacular powdery white sand, is becoming over-developed.

The Ifugao rice terraces have suffered from an infestation of giant worms that cause soil erosion. The terraces have also suffered from neglect as younger generations leave the picturesque region for better livelihood opportunities in the cities.

A boost in tourism could lure back those youths and improve the capability of environmental groups to protect what’s left of the country’s rich natural resources. Some communities have seen the economic and social gains that can be reaped from ecotourism and have become stakeholders in protecting their environment. Developing more of such stakeholders will help the country maintain a solid reputation as a top travel destination.