Implementing an Effective Ecotourism Strategy for the Philippines

Abstract

Ecotourism is of increasing importance in the Philippines and this chapter provides an account of the National Ecotourism Strategy and allied policy frameworks. Such undertakings emphasize the importance of natural destinations where ecotourism can lead to economic growth, environmental conservation, and development of local communities. In this chapter, we highlight the significance of the threatened biodiversity in the Philippines. Effective conservation needs to precede tourism development and we posit that if the natural environment is neglected, there cannot be any ecotourism; therefore, an effective conservation strategy must be part of tourism development. Thus, it is vital for the government and stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry to engage in and objectively define ecotourism when implementing the National Ecotourism Strategy. We call for regional planning and the application of national standards to avoid on-going damage and the unsustainable nature of some of the current ecotourism ventures currently operating in the Philippines. We emphasize that effective conservation is vital for sustainable tourism development as without conservation there can be no ecotourism.