the challenges to sustainable tourism in the philippines
DESCRIPTION
Presentation on a paper entitled, "Is it more fun in the Philippines? : Challenges to sustainable tourism development in the Philippines" at the International Interdisciplinary Conference on the Environment (IICE) in Portland, Oregon (June, 2013)TRANSCRIPT
Presentation Outline
• Introduction
• Positioning in Butler’s Curve
• Challenges to Sustainable Tourism
• Recommendations & Conclusion
Data Sources
• Academic Journal Articles from 2002-2013 on Philippine Tourism
• National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB)
• National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)
• Department of Tourism (DOT)
• World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)
• United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO)
International Tourist Arrivals, 2010
(Asia Pacific Region )
27.3
12.1
1.74.5
2.5 2.7
7.8
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
China Malaysia Philippines Singapore Vietnam Taiwan Thailand
Sources: UNWTO & Ehrlich
The problem is
ignorance.
- Sec. Ramon Jimenez
Long-term Goal
”To develop an environmentally and socially
responsible tourism that delivers larger and
more widely distributed income and
employment opportunities.”
DOT National Tourism Development
Plan
Sustainable Tourism- Appropriate balance between environmental,
economic, and socio-cultural aspects
- Ensuring meaningful & satisfactory tourist
experience
- Effective political leadership and stakeholder
engagement
Butler’s Tourism Area Life Cycle
(1980)
• Theoretical model that proposes
sequential phases that tourism
destinations undergo
• Each stage: characterised by several
indicators
• Purpose of Butler: To remind planners that
destinations are finite
Butler’s Curve
Can we delay stagnation and
avoid unsustainable tourism?
0
500,000
1,000,000
1,500,000
2,000,000
2,500,000
3,000,000
3,500,000
4,000,000
4,500,000
1960
1962
1964
1966
1968
1970
1972
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
International Visitor Arrivals to the Philippines (1960-
2012)Sources: NSCB and UNWTO
-20.0%
-10.0%
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
80.0%
1960
1962
1964
1966
1968
1970
1972
1974
1976
1978
1980
1982
1984
1986
1988
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
2012
Annual Growth Rates of International Visitor Arrivals (1960-
2012)
Martial Law
Coup d’Etat on
Cory Aquino
AFC, 9/11, SARS,
Coliform
GFC
Sources: NSCB and UNWTO
Presence of Travel
Season• Occupancy Surveys
• Tourist information guide
warnings about prices
tripling during “peak periods”
Monthly Occupancy Rate in Accredited and
Non-Accredited Accommodation Establishments
in Metro Manila
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
2011
2010
2009
Source: DOT
Proportion of International Tourists
according to Type of Travel
Arrangements
18.30%
4.65%
77.05%
Independent
Packaged
Not Stated
Source: DOT
2012 Economic Contribution• 7% contribution to Gross Domestic
Product
• 2.9 million jobs (7.7% of total employment)
Source: World Travel & Tourism Council
Grassroots LevelPeople value tourism as it provides income and employment.
GovernmentTourism is considered a strategy for Inclusive
Growth and Poverty Reduction in the Philippine
Development Plan.
Advertising Strategies
New York
Source: DOT
London
Source: DOT
Social Media & Publicity
Indicators Data (1973-2012) Stage
Visitor
Arrivals410,000 - 3,917,000
(1% to 3.8% of the
population)
Before
development (equal
or exceed local
population)
Travel
Patterns &
Arrangement
s
Presence of tourist
season
Involvement
More independent
travellers than
packaged travellers
Early phase of the
TALC
Indicators Data (1973-2012) StageEconomic
Contribution
7% GDP contribution
7.7% employment
contribution
Employment and
livelihood
opportunities for
locals
Between exploration
(no significance) and
consolidation (major
contribution)
Promotions • Advertisements
• Social media
• Features in
international
television programs
Between involvement
(some advertising) and
development (prolific)
TALC
What now?
CHALLENGE 1:
DECLINING LOCAL
PARTICIPATION
• Local and foreign accommodations
• Locals as employees or suppliers only
– Involvement versus Control: Participation?
CHALLENGE 2:
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
CHANGES
Positive Changes• Conservation & protection of the environment
• Higher fish production
• Reforestation
• Dive sites &
marine-
protected areas
(Palawan,
Cebu)
• Forest reserves
& national parks
Examples
Negative Changes• Pollution & waste (ex: Boracay coliform)
• Beach erosion
• Degradation & depletion
Conservation versus Traditional
Livelihood?
Built Environment
Changes• Emergence of
establishments
specifically designed for
Korean and Taiwanese
tourists
CHALLENGE 3:
SOCIAL IMPACTS
Positive Impacts• Empowered
communities (in community-based and volunteer tourism)
• Employment opportunities for women
• Cultural Pride
Negative Impacts• Locals versus migrants
• Altering livelihoods to
accommodate tourism
• Prostitution
CHALLENGE 4:
MANAGING ATTRACTIONS
Natural attractions• Beaches, Reef, Forests: Philippines’ key asset
• National Ecotourism Strategy
• How should the Philippines respond to Climate Change?
Cultural/heritage attractions• Festivals, Old Churches
• Lack of research on cultural tourism
Man-made attractions• Level has not been determined
TALC
Challenges to Sustainable
Tourism• Declining local ownership
• Impacts on natural & built environment,
society & culture
• Managing attractions
– Climate Change
Is it more fun?
Involve GovernmentAs the development phase unfolds, regional
and national government involvement in the
planning process becomes imperative.-Butler (1980)
Involve GovernmentTourism must be understood in the context
of the political environment, which
immensely influences destination
development.- Henderson (2011)
Educate Locals- Relevance of resources to tourism &
development
- Provide skills
Involve Locals- Consider local opinion & knowledge
- Address conflict between migrants & locals
Support small-
scale businesses- Improve resource
access
- Reduce costs & risks
Establish Quality Control - Protect natural resources
- Adapt to Climate Change
- Address issue on GHG emissions from air
travel
Environmental sustainability is often
linked to economic & social sustainability,
especially in nature-based tourism sites.
Learn from previous expenses to avoid
similar problems and to develop a more
sustainable tourism industry.
End of Presentation
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