Ecotourism in the Philippines

Defining Ecotourism

Ecotourism is described as sustainable tourism aimed towards conservation efforts, responsible travel wherein the tourist is actively working to reduce their footprint, and enriching or improving the well being of the local people. When we market ecotourism, we market an experience where we connect people to the nature around them, we market an understanding of where you are and what you can do to help. To summarize, the fundamental ideas of ecotourism are conservation, community, and connection, as our group would view it.

Tourism. According to pna.gov, in 2019 the Philippines tourism revenue reached a total of (US) $9.31 billion compared to in 2018 where revenue was only (US) $7.71 billion. Aside from the earnings, the Philippines has reached numerous tourism milestones including a goal of 8.2 million international arrivals. The secretary of the Department of Tourism said that this data confirms that tourism is of vital importance to the Philippine economy. Due to Covid, the tourism industry struggled to earn. Compared to 2019, the Philippines only had a revenue of (US) $2 billion in December 2020. Though in 2022, the travel & tourism market is expected to reach (US) $2.905 billion this year, 2022. There is also an expected annual growth rate of 12.52% from 2022 - 2026.

Popular Spots for Ecotourism in the Philippines

The Masungi Georeserve is a conservation area and rock garden. Located in the rainforests of Tanay, Rizal, it is a favorite go-to spot for adventurous tourists. The name is derived from “masungki” which means “spiked”, referring to the limestone structures in the area.

A favorite among foreign and local diving enthusiasts, Tubbataha Reefs is a protected area in the middle of the Sulu Sea, under the province of Palawan. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the top diving destinations in the world. It features rich marine life, including 600 species of fish, 360 species of corals, 11 species of sharks, and 13 species of dolphins & whales. Hawksbill and green sea turtles can also be found here (Cortes, 2022).

The Biri Larosa Protected Landscape and Seascape are famous for their natural rock formations and scenic views. The place features natural saltwater pools. This breathtaking beauty is located in Northern Samar. The even gigantic rock formations within the area are Magasang, Magsapad, Macadlaw, Puhunan, Bel-at, Caranas, and Pinanahawan.These are believed to be the result of underwater tectonic plate movements and waves crashing millions of years ago.

Sohoton Cove is in Bucas Grande, Surigao del Norte. Out of 13 inland lakes, 3 are accessible to the public. Flora and fauna such as stingless jellyfish, green sea turtles, and other animals such as tarsiers, kalaw (hornbills), and eagles can be found. Boat tours are allowed inside this water jungle maze, where guests can view the lush greenery and crystal clear water. The famous Jellyfish Lagoon or Tojoman Lagoon can also be visited, where stingless jellyfishes surface during mating season.

Located in the northeastern end of Luzon, Palaui Island is known for its raw beauty. It is a national marine reserve. The water that surrounds the island supports rich marine life, with undisturbed corals and 20 commercial species of fish (Cortes, 2022). Tourists take advantage of the underwater abundance on the island by swimming, snorkeling, or diving. Other activities that can be done here include skim boarding, game fishing, trekking, camping, picnicking, and bird watching.

Anti pollution projects and their effectiveness

DENR-EMB (Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Environmental Management Bureau) recommended a regulation towards the local government regarding further control on the use of fireworks, or generally, pyrotechnics. Provoking this was the air pollution levels surpassing the safety guidelines during New Years of 2022, as it is a global tradition for people to involve fireworks throughout the holiday. Residue from the fireworks have particles of a size that are able to enter through the respiratory tract, which can take a toll on one’s health. Air pollution had already been an issue prior to New Years, though the situation is a recent example of how the issue is dealt with. There may not have been a large impact through the recommendation, but DENR-EMB continues to make efforts to improve the overall pollution in the Philippines.

On April 26, 2018, Boracay was closed for a cleanup for no less than 6 months to take care of its issues which involved water pollution and waste management. To sustain the cleaned up state, drinking, smoking, eating, and other acts which could possibly cause waste were stopped. The Sewage systems of buildings like restaurants and hotels were worked on since it was found that many of these buildings had the sewage unloaded into the ocean. Because of this, many hotels and restaurants were closed down because of the violation of environmental laws. Since the cleanup, the beach shore has also been widened, allowing for less crowded strolls around the island. Overall, the rehabilitation was successful, and has stayed in a quality state with the help of added regulations.

Other Popular Tourist Hotspots

Before and after the cleanup of Boracay during 2018, it was a popular tourist hotspot within the Philippines. It is located around Western Visayas, with a total land area of around 10km2. It is widely known for the beaches, with its fine-grained white sands and clear waters. Although, there are also a few other activities to do other than swimming! Such as going through the restaurants, surfing, and exploring the stores.

Rice Terraces, Banaue

The Banaue Rice Terraces were built around 2,000 years ago by the people who had lived in Ifugao back then. It is managed by the Provincial Government of Ifugao along with the National Commission for Culture and Arts. There are paths along the location, allowing tourists to take a good view of the Rice Terraces in a variety of perspectives. Not only can it be appreciated by its aesthetics, it is also good to give thought to how it continued to be sustained by the people through its 2,000 years of existence.

The Sumaguing Cave is the biggest in Sagada, its depth stretching up to approximately 500 ft. Exploring the cave can involve working with physical obstacles, as a result of its rock formations. Its rock formations also create natural indoor pools, the water described to be “crystal clear”. Keep in mind that the surfaces can be slippery! It is also cold inside the cave, especially the water despite the usual heat all over the Philippines.

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