Cover Ecotourism in the Philippines (Photo: Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images)
Ecotourism in the Philippines (Photo: Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images)
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The Philippines boasts a spate of lush forests and tropical islands that attract travellers from around the globe. This is how the country welcomes guests while preserving its natural beauty
The Philippines is projected to attract at least 8.21 million foreign visitors by the end of 2024. Research firm Fitch Solutions unit BMI presented the data, which stemmed from increasing arrivals from key tourist origins in Southeast Asia, Europe, and the United States.
Predictably, the spike in tourists can be attributed to the travel restrictions imposed during Covid-19. “We retain our view that the Philippines’ tourist arrival levels will fully recover to their pre-pandemic levels in 2024 after the country recorded a strong 2023 with over five million tourists arriving over the full year,” the company revealed.
Most of the country’s sightseers explore destinations that heighten the ‘Filipino experience’. While they are drawn to regional festivals, they also seek attractions that highlight nature’s beauty—the Philippines’ flourishing forests, pristine beaches, and majestic mountains are among their favoured destinations.
What does this mean for the country’s ecotourism?
In case you missed it: Masungi Georeserve Trustees Will Speak on Ecotourism at World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit 2022
Above Slit photo of man swimming underwater and big rock formations above water in El Nido Palawan, Philippines (Photo: Gabriel Mello/Getty Images)
Slit photo of man swimming underwater and big rock formations above water in El Nido Palawan, Philippines (Photo: Gabriel Mello/Getty Images)
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Ecotourism, in a nutshell
The International Ecotourism Society defines ‘ecotourism’ as the act of travelling responsibly to conserve the environment and sustain the well-being of local people. According to the group, those who put it into practice shall minimise physical, social-behavioural, and psychological impacts through:
- Building environmental and cultural awareness and respect.
- Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.
- Provide direct financial benefits for conservation.
- Generate financial benefits for both local people and private industries.
- Deliver memorable interpretative experiences to visitors that help raise sensitivity to host countries’ political, environmental, and social climates.
- Design, construct and operate low-impact facilities.
- Recognise the rights and spiritual beliefs of the Indigenous People in your community and work in partnership with them to create empowerment.
- The Philippines, as an archipelago, is home to diverse ecosystems and natural wonders that are worth preserving.
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Here are ecotourism efforts being done in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao:
Luzon
People in Luzon’s central business districts usually visit destinations they can travel by land. Among the most popular spots near the metro are Bataan and Subic’s picturesque beaches, Bulacan’s historical places, Nueva Ecija’s tall mountains, Pampanga’s food, and Tarlac’s natural attractions.
According to Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director Richard Daenos, Central Luzon received 2.6 million domestic arrivals and 197,837 foreign arrivals in the third quarter of 2023.
Some groups continue to fight for environmental sustainability in Luzon. Among them are Masungi Georeserve, which perseveres in fighting deforestation and climate change by restoring and protecting the Masungi landscape and parts of the upper Marikina watershed.
Masungi offers two beginner-friendly trails for those who want to immerse themselves in nature: the Discovery and Legacy trails. The Discovery Trail of Masungi Georeserve allows guests to visit the conservation area and experience the karst terrain up close. The trek lasts three to four hours but may be shortened or lengthened depending on the guest’s preference and capacity.
On the other hand, the Legacy Trail immerses guests in the greater Masungi Geopark Project, where restoration efforts are currently underway. On this trail, guests are invited to participate in tree-planting activities. The experience lasts four to six hours.
For their efforts, the foundation’s trustees and co-founders, Ann and Billie Dumaliang, won the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Action Award in ceremonies held in Bonn, Germany. Masungi trustee Billie expressed gratitude to the UN SDG Action Campaign: “You don’t know how much this means to us at such a critical time when our work continues to be undermined and under-supported in our home country.”
Above loboc Tour boat cruising on a river and tropical rainforest (Photo: Khaichuin Sim/Getty Images)
loboc Tour boat cruising on a river and tropical rainforest (Photo: Khaichuin Sim/Getty Images)
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The longest mountain range in the Philippines is also in Luzon. The Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP) is within the Sierra Madre Biogeographic Zone (SMBGZ), which is a priority protected area in the country. It is the largest protected area in the country and the richest in terms of genetic, species, and habitat diversity.
It is home to endangered species including Philippine Eagle (Pithecopaga jefferyi) Golden-Crowned Flying Fox (Acerodon jubatus), Philippine Eagle-Owl (Bubo philippensis), Isabela Oriole (Oriolus isabellae), Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas), Loggerhead Turtle (Caretta caretta), Hawksbill Turtle (Erethmochelys imbricata), Philippine Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) and Dugong (Dugong dugon).
In March 2024, the Philippine delegation submitted eight sites to be included in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)’s tentative list of World Heritage sites. Two of these sites are in Luzon—the Taal volcano and its caldera lake and the historical Intramuros, the Walled City of Manila.
Six other sites are the sugar cultural landscape of Negros and Panay, the Agusan Marsh wildlife sanctuary, the Kitanglad and Kalatungan Mountain Ranges: sacred sites of Bukidnon, the Samar Island natural park, the extension of the Cordillera rice terraces and the extension of the Mt Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary-Pujada Bay.
UNESCO defines world heritage sites as “places on Earth that are of outstanding universal value to humanity and, as such, have been inscribed on the World Heritage List to be protected for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.”
Above Whale shark, Rhincodon typus, Oslob, Philippines, Indian Ocean (Photo: Gerard Soury/Getty Images)
Whale shark, Rhincodon typus, Oslob, Philippines, Indian Ocean (Photo: Gerard Soury/Getty Images)
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Visayas
When people talk about travel destinations in Visayas, the first two places that come to mind are Cebu and Bohol. These places offer world-class resorts, pristine beaches, meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) tourism, cultural and community-based tourism, and agritourism.
According to the report Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities in Sustainable Tourism Development in Central Visayas: Specific and Common Concerns of Cebu and Bohol by Belinda F. Espiritu and Cora Jane C. Lawas, there have been common issues and concerns about responsible tourism in these areas.
Their common issues are climate change, disaster-risk preparedness, increasing traffic congestion, water sustainability, solid waste management, air pollution controls, seawater quality, preservation of marine resources, and sustainable environmental codes.
The research posits that environmental conservation is a complicated topic as it touches on economic concerns. Therefore, good governance is one good way to achieve sustainability in ecotourism.
The paper read, “First, tourism provides economic incentives to protect or rehabilitate natural resources. Second, it increases community appreciation of the natural environment, which leads to the development of a conscious responsibility among the people to protect the environment.”
Above Philippines, Visayas islands, Bohol island, Primate Tarsier at Tarsier visitor center. (Photo: Tuul & Bruno Morandi/Getty Images)
Philippines, Visayas islands, Bohol island, Primate Tarsier at Tarsier visitor center. (Photo: Tuul & Bruno Morandi/Getty Images)
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“This also has something to do with good governance and the continuing debate between economic growth and environmental conservation. Some have contended that economic growth from tourism is not really inclusive because some sectors will actually lose from strict adherence to environmental policies and will not benefit from ecotourism or sustainable tourism,” it added.
More from Tatler: Meet 5 of the Philippines’ Eco Warriors and Know How They Try to Save Mother Earth
Mindanao
Mindanao is the second-largest island in the Philippine Malay Archipelago. It is home to tourist hotspots, including Mt. Apo Natural Park in Davao, Enchanted River in Surigao del Sur, Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte, Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, Aliwagwag Falls in Cateel, Davao Oriental, and more.
In this light, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in partnership with GEF Biodiversity Corridor Project and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa), discussed ways to work closely with each other to conserve biodiversity in the area.
Above Various framing of Mount Apo upland pine forest showing its lush and green vegetation under a cloudy and blue sky (Photo: Ruelito Pine/Getty Images)
Various framing of Mount Apo upland pine forest showing its lush and green vegetation under a cloudy and blue sky (Photo: Ruelito Pine/Getty Images)
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During the March 2023 meeting, the stakeholders discussed the importance of imposing national policies to improve biodiversity in Mindanao.
MinDA introduced the Mindanao Development Corridors (MDC), which seeks to boost economic growth in the region by improving infrastructure, connectivity, and investment facilitation. This plan includes enhancing transportation and logistics to support tourism.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
