National Ecotourism Strategy
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NATIONAL ECOTOURISM STRATEGY Prepared by the NATIONAL ECOTOURISM STEERING COMMITTEE and ECOTOURISM TECHNICAL WORKING GROUP through the NEW ZEALAND OFFICIAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE J u l y 2 0 0 2 Message Message lobally, the 1992 Earth Summit has compelled all nations to draw action plans cotourism is a significant tool in sustainable development as it also advocates to implement the Global Agenda 21. protection of our natural resources, the base from which the ecotourism industry G The Philippine Agenda 21 (PA 21) was adopted in September 1997 to expand E thrives. Ecotourism seeks to put in place mechanisms that are environmentally- the national agenda on sustainable development. Sustainable development is defined in PA sustainable, economically-viable, and socially-equitable in order to bring about 21 as the “harmonious integration of a sound and viable economy, responsive governance, development in the country that would redound to the benefit of local communities, social cohesion and ecological integrity to ensure that development is a life enhancing especially the poor and marginalized sectors of society. process.” This concept translated a development paradigm that looks very closely into To promote sustainable development in the Philippines, the National Ecotourism relationship of environment and biological diversity at all levels, industry and tourism. In the Steering Committee and the Regional Ecotourism Commitees, in consultation with the context of conservation, the environment provides the wealth of wonders for the development regional stakeholders, have formulated a strategy for the development of ecotourism of tourism and ecotourism in particular. throughout the country. The National Ecotourism Strategy (NES) is envisioned to provide In this case, we have to be guided by the concept of ecotourism adopted in the Bohol an integrated and coordinated mechanisms as it provides for partnerships among Congress in 1999, “a form of sustainable tourism within a natural and cultural heritage area the government, the private sector, the local communities and tourists to ensure the where community participation, protection and management of natural resources, culture industry’s viability and competitiveness in the long run. and indigenous knowledge and practices, environmental education and ethics, as well as The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), as one of the economic benefits are fostered and pursued for the enrichment of host communities and the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) partners in implementing the NES, commits its roles and satisfaction of visitors.” mandates in the promotion of the National Ecotourism Programs. The DENR shall continue The Executive Order No. 111 establishing the guidelines for the development of its campaign on environmental advocacy so that Filipinos and all ecotourism enthusiasts ecotourism in the Philippines provided the legal framework for the partnership of may gain deeper appreciation of the value of biodiversity and of the benefits that can be Department of Tourism and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in realized through conservation. cooperation with other concerned stakeholders. The EO required the formulation of With the NES, the DENR co-shares the vision of positioning the Philippines as a the Philippine National Ecotourism Strategy to provide the framework for sustainable globally competitive ecotourism destination as it endeavors to develop and protect the ecotourism development. country’s environment and preserve our cultural heritage for the benefit of the present This Strategy is the Philippines contribution to the celebration of 2002 as the and future generations. International Year of Ecotourism. The UN declaration of IYE was spearheaded by the Department of Tourism. Hopefully this Strategy will serve as a guide to planners, developers, decision-makers, public and private entrepreneurs and the academe as well as government and non-governmental organizations including donors working on sustainable tourism development. HEHERSON T. ALVAREZ SECRETARY OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES AND CO-CHAIRPERSON, NATIONAL ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL RICHARD J. GORDON SECRETARY OF TOURISM AND CHAIRPERSON NATIONAL ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL The general approach to achieve NES goals involve the establishment of network of Executive Summary sites and products through a “top-down and bottom-up” approach. The Top-down seeks to define flows from the national government by developing and marketing key ecotourism sites as well as setting the standards to regulate and monitor ecotourism projects. The bottom-up is envisioned to provide opportunity for host communities, local government units, local entrepreneurs, non-government organizations and other stakeholders to he Philippines is regarded as one of the top 25 biodiversity hotspots in the actively participate in the protection and management of their resources and other viable world in view of high percentage of endemic plants and animals which are ecotourism projects. T threatened by extinction. An important approach in the NES is the establishment of communication network Recognizing the diverse natural and cultural resources of the country, Executive via the website, newsletter and other media to facilitate sharing of information and Order (EO) No. 111 was issued on 17 June 1999 to establish the guidelines for experiences among stakeholders. It also provide for linking key sites and products to ecotourism development in the Philippines. The EO likewise created the National facilitate the development of new packages and programs that will ensure a longer visitor Ecotourism Development Council as policy making body, and the National Ecotourism stay and a quality experience. Steering Committee (NESC) and Regional Ecotourism Committees (RECs) as operating A set of National Ecotourism Program has been identified in the NES in support arms. In addition, the EO called for the formulation of National Ecotourism Strategy (NES) of its implementation. The program includes selection of key ecotourism sites, product to provide an integrated management plan for the development of ecotourism. development, marketing and promotions, education and advocacy, establishment of Pursuant to EO 111, the NESC through the assistance of New Zealand Agency for ecotourism fund, support programs and monitoring. International Development (NZAID) spearheaded the preparation of the NES. Regional stakeholders consultation and national planning workshops were conducted by NESC, Action plan for each national ecotourism program was also identified in the short term RECs and NZAID to provide venue for key stakeholders to contribute in the planning (2002 – 2004), medium term (2002 – 2007) and long term (2002 – 2012). process as well as elicit issues, concerns and recommendations. The planning process was capped by the launching of NES during the Second National Ecotourism Congress in Tacloban City. The NES viewed ecotourism not as an imported concept but a direct response to real needs and circumstances in the country. Ecotourism rests on the following pillars: • sustainable management of natural and cultural resources; • environmental education and conservation awareness; • empowerment of local communities; and • development of products that will satisfy visitor needs and position the Philippines as Acknowledgements a globally competitive ecotourism destination. The NES is founded on the vision to advocate, foster, coordinate, monitor and mobilize support for ecotourism. It specifically aims to: • promote and mobilize support for ecotourism from all sectors-government, businesses and general populace; his publication is a cooperative undertaking of the Department of Tourism • develop a culture of tourism among the local people; (DOT) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of • institutionalize community participation in planning, development, implementation T the Government of the Philippines in cooperation with the New Zealand Official and monitoring of ecotourism projects; Development Assistance (NZODA). It is the result of hard work by people from a broad • promote environmental education and ethics; range of sectors from the government, non-government organizations, academe, peoples • develop capability of LGUs and local entrepreneurs; facilitate domestic and foreign organizations, the private and business sectors, indigenous peoples, and local people. investments to fill in facilities requirements; and • develop globally competitive ecotourism products for quality visitor experience; The DOT and DENR jointly extend their sincere thanks and gratitude to all of those ensure benefits redound to the local community. who cooperated and participated in the formulation of the National Ecotourism Strategy. Table of Contents ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ADB Asian Development Bank AIT Asian Institute of Tourism ASEAN Association of South East Asian Nations 1 Introduction 9 ASA Air Services Agreement 1.1 Background and Rationale 9 ASSET Accessing Support Services and Entrepreneurial Technology 1.2 Planning Process 1 0 BCOD Bureau of Cooperatives Development BIMP-EAGA Brunei Indonesia Malaysia Philippines - East Asian Growth Area 2 Situation Analysis 1 2 CBCRM Community-Based Coastal Resource Management 2.1 Policy Context 1 2 CBBE Community and Barangay Business Enterprise 2.2 Agents of Development 1 4 CBST Community-Based Sustainable Tourism 2.3 Natural Resource Base 1 8 CD Community Development 2.4 Cultural Resource