TVC culminating conference highlights sustainable tourism, interaction with local industry stakeholders
THE United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, Inc. (PCEPSDI) underscored sustainable tourism during the culminating event of the Transforming Tourism Value Chains (TVC) project, “Transforming Philippine Tourism: Paving Sustainable Paths Towards Inclusive and Climate-resilient Destinations” conference last November 8 to 9 at Novotel Manila.
On behalf of Tourism Secretary Christina G. Frasco, Oic-assistant Secretary Warner Andrada emphasized that there is hope on the horizon as organizations like UNEP and members of Philippine Stakeholders Tourism Advisory Group (PSTAG) continuously take on the role of advocates and stewards of the planet.
“The Transforming Tourism Value Chains Project reflects the current thrust of the DOT as it takes on a clear course of action geared towards transforming the industry in this new era of travel and tourism,” Andrada said.
Furthermore, the two-day conference echoed the international call for green recovery for the tourism sector, which includes better conservation and sustainable management of the natural tourism destinations such as beaches, oceans, mountains, parks, and forests.
The participating organizations have also seen the importance of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, increasing resource efficiency, and embracing sustainability practices for transforming the sector.
The project’s conference likewise featured panel discussions, which gave a platform for the resource speakers to share progress on environmental sustainability, climate action, sustainability leadership, and investments in the tourism industry.
During the first day, the conference formerly opened with a panel discussion on “Driving Climate Action in Philippine Tourism: Looking at Status and Progress” with Eylla Laire M. Gutierrez from Asian Institute of Management, Brenda Butardo and Andrea Janelle D. Go from Philippine Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development Inc., Julius A. Manabat from La Union Tourism Office and Teddy Monroy from United Nations Industrial Development Organization as resource speakers.
“From the policy point of view, the Philippines has good regulations and policies, but the challenge is how to implement them. If we can all come together and if the efforts are not fragmented, these policies can be mainstreamed and consistent across all of the different offices, including local government units,” Teddy Monroy noted.
Roderick F. De Castro of Business for Sustainable Development, Alexis Bautista of SMX Convention Center; Kingson Sian of Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc.; Karlo Angelo C. Evangelista of Savoy Hotel Manila, and Kiko Velhagen of Ten Knots Philippines, Inc., shared private sector progress in the second panel, moderated by Dr. Benigno Glenn Ricaforte of De La Salle College of Saint Benilde.
On the second day of the conference, Karen Mae G. Sarinas-baydo from Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority; Prudencio Callado from Landbank of the Philippines, with Benito Bengzon, Jr. from Philippine Hotel Owners Association as moderator, spearheaded the discussion on infrastructure development and green financing opportunities for sustainable tourism development for the final panel.
PCEPSDI, UNEP and DOT also recognized partner hotels and hotel groups, and members from the Philippine Stakeholders Advisory Group (PSTAG) for Sustainable Tourism who actively participated in TVC project activities towards reduction of the sector’s carbon footprint.
The conference is in partnership with the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority(tieza), Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), Philippine Association of Convention/ Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers (PACEOS), and Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP), together with Businessmirror as official media partner.