Ecotourism: At A Glance Ecotourism?

Ecotourism / Ecological Tourism a form of sustainable tourism within a natural and cultural heritage area where community participation, protection and management of natural resources, culture 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. Ecotourism is a significant tool in sustainable development as it also advocates protection of our natural resources, the base from which the ecotourism industry thrives. Ecotourism seeks to put in place mechanisms that are environmentally-sustainable, economically-viable, and sociallyequitable in order to bring about development in the country that would redound to the benefit of local communities, especially the poor and marginalized sectors of society. How it started In 1991, the Department of Tourism (DOT) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Tourism Organization (WTO), prepared the Philippine Tourism Master Plan (TMP). Among the objectives established by the TMP is the positioning of the Philippines as a world-class tourism destination under the guiding principle of sustainable tourism development. In 1992, a National Tourism Congress took up this theme and the concept of ecotourism was introduced in the Philippines. Between 1994 and 1998, a series of regional seminars discussed the sustainable tourism and ecotourism concepts. This work culminated in a 1998 technical workshop during which the elements of a sustainable tourism development framework were identified and key issues defined. On 17 June 1999, Executive Order (EO) 111 was issued. This established a formal organizational structure for the development of ecotourism in the Philippines. EO 111 created a National Ecotourism Development Council (NEDC), composed of the Secretaries of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Interior and Local Government, Trade and Industry, Finance, Education, the Secretary-General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and representatives from the private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Under the NEDC, a National Ecotourism Steering Committee (NESC) and Regional Ecotourism Committees (RECs) were established to implement programs and activities approved by NEDC. EO111 also called for an Ecotourism Technical Working Group (ETWG) to provide technical and administrative support to the NEDC and the NESC. All of these bodies are referred to collectively in this report as the EO 111 Bodies. As articulated in EO 111, the following policies served as bases for proposing a system to promote and develop ecotourism in the Philippines:

The State shall develop and promote sustainable tourism while enjoining the participation of the Filipino people in enhancing the growth and competitiveness of the Philippine economy; and, The State shall ensure the sustainable use, development, management, protection and conservation of the countrys environment and natural resources and cultural heritage for the enjoyment of the present and future generations.

The EO111, therefore, provides for the formulation of a national ecotourism strategy and program for the promotion and development of ecotourism in the Philippines. The National Ecotourism Strategy (NES) shall be prepared to provide an integrated management plan, which shall warrant a comprehensive direction for the future of ecotourism in the country by recognizing issues and problems for its sustainable development and recommend feasible approaches in addressing these issues. The Strategy shall be formulated in consultation with concerned stakeholders in the environment and tourism sectors including indigenous peoples and local communities to be affected by ecotourism development. Other specific and urgent national imperatives to be addressed by the NES are:

Diversification of the Philippine tourism product mix in the light of current downturn in visitor arrivals; Spreading tourism benefits to rural areas not only for employment generation and poverty alleviation but also for the sustainability of the tourism industry; Provision of an economic rationale for conservation of natural and cultural sites to ensure the long-term sustainability of conservation management systems; Promotion of wholesome styles of recreation in outdoor environments and provision of conservation awareness and education programs outside the classrooms; and, Creation of models that will demonstrate ways for local communities to engage in nonexploitative and sustainable utilization of natural resources.

To complement and support the NES, a National Ecotourism Program (NEP) shall be developed. The NEP shall encompass the major aspects of ecotourism, which are 1) development, management and protection of identified ecotourism sites; 2) product enhancement and development; 3) environmental education and information campaign; 4) support programs for community stewardship and livelihood development. The First National Ecotourism Congress held in Bohol on 27-29 October 1999 defined ecotourism and its role in the promotion of sustainable development, management, protection and conservation of the countrys environment, natural resources and cultural heritage.

Eco Lingo (culled from the Operating Guidelines for Executive Order(EO) No.111 "Establishing the Guidelines for Ecotourism Development in the Philippines")

Ecotourism Product - a combination of ecotourism resources, facilities, activities, and services resulting in enhanced commitment to protect the natural and cultural heritage areas. Major Ecotourism project - an integrated ecotourism development project located in a clearly defined area usch as tourist zones, protected areas, and other such areas as may be proclaimed or designated. Tourist Zones - geographic area with well-defined boundaries proclaimed as such by the President or by acts of Congress. Protected Areas - identified protions of land and water set aside by reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed to enhance biological diversity, and protected against desctructive human exploitation. Natural Areas - areas that remain in their natural state, thus maintaining biodiversity and ecological processes. Ecotourism Resources - natural and cultural assets that attract visitors including, but not limited to, landscapes, endemic or rare flora and fauna, cultural festivals and historical monuments. Ecotourism Services - basic services for tourism activities including, but not limited to, transportation, food, guiding, and interpretation of services. Recreational Zones - areas of high recreational, tourism, educational and/or environmental values where ecotourism may be allowed in protected areas. Tourism Estate - a large tract of land with well-defined boundaries and prescribed carrying capacities of tourism facilities and activities located in priority areas identified in the Tourism Master Plan, Regional Master Plans, as well as those proclaimed by the President and/or by Acts of Congress. Such land shall be suitable for integrated tourism development under a unified and continuous management.