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IAM interested in tourism projects since I was among the resource persons lecturing on Philippine flora and fauna (plants and animals) to future tour guides at the main office of the Department of Tourism in Manila.
Other lecturers take up history, laws, regulations, special sites of significance, and traditions.
I enjoyed my lectures with slide shows and workshops. My students enjoyed the experience. I was thankful because I am a teacher by profesion. Our lesson on recognizing birds by the sounds they make thrilled my students. Replicas of trips to Mount Banahaw, to Palawan kept them awake and interested. We were given honorariums for our services.
The recent news which got my interest is the Media Congress held in Camp John Hay convention hall in Baguio City. The guest speaker was Secretary Wanda Teo who spoke on “The Shared Responsibility for Tourism Proposals. The first year of President Duterte recorded a total revenue of P220.30 million. There were six million foreign tourists visiting the country from July 2011 to May 2017. The industry is vibrant and the activities are intended for a continuing shared responsibility between the government and other stakeholders especially the media to ensure its sustainable growth. Secretary Teo said that the Philippine Tourism Development Plan is already in line with the country’s Medium-Term and the long term “Ambisyon Natin 2040” economic development plan and sustainable tourism growth.
The President has promised to spend P677 billion in tourism infrastructure. It will continue encouraging private investments particularly in rural development; promote tourism MSMEs; enhance human resources and to enable the indigents to take part in the building of Eco-tourism sites in the countryside.
The government has also directed all regional offices to establish tourism media facilities to let the public know the tourism programs, projects and services in the country.
The PTA has taken initiative to incorporate ecology planning as part of our tourism enrichment plan. There is the long term growth of ecotourism plans to attain the sustainability of natural and cultural resources. The plan further integrates its goals of using NGOs (non-governmental organizations) and others involved as airlines, tour operators and suppliers for facilities. Re-greening the countryside involves having irrigated farm lands. Trained farmers to tend the lands is a requirement. This is one way of saving the earth. All tourists observing these programs for saving the earth through ecological planning will spread the information to their nations. Thus, in a way our tourism industry shoots two birds in one shot. I remember my Google Winning Book for best book on ecology and environment for year 2000 - “Sustainable Development - Every Filipino’s Concern”. Let us help save the earth. All readers of this book, reprinted verbatim from front to back covers must have learned ecotourism. For comments text mobile number (0920) 211-2534.