The Department of Tourism (DOT) has expressed intent to share its Boracay rehabilitation experience and strategies with other Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states.
“We wish to share the Philippines’ experience in the rehabilitation of our top sun-and-beach tourism destination, the island of Boracay,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said in her speech during the 22nd meeting of the ASEAN Tourism Ministers in Ha Long, Vietnam.
“With the reopening of Boracay, we are glad that the message of sustainability has reached far and wide,” Romulo-Puyat said.
On October 26 last year, the Philippines reopened Boracay to tourists after a six-month intensive rehabilitation to rid the beach of pollution and to fix its unregulated sewage discharge that has contributed to the island’s “cesspool” tag in the past.
After its reopening, stakeholders have lauded the country’s radical move that was initially met by criticism and apprehension based on fears that the closure of the country’s main tourist-draw would strain its tourism industry.
Earlier, Belgian Ambassador to Manila Michel Goffin said the closure was a “good decision” on the part of President Rodrigo Duterte as it translated the government’s commitment towards sustainable tourism.
“The closure was a good decision on the part of President Duterte as it translated the government’s commitment towards sustainable tourism.”
The tourism chief also campaigned for a “sustainable and responsible” tourism industry across the ASEAN as she cited the long-term benefits it would bring to each member state.
“We as the ASEAN must maintain that long-term benefits are more important than a quick buck in exchange (for) our environment’s integrity,” the tourism head said.
“We as the ASEAN must maintain that long-term benefits are more important than a quick buck in exchange for our environment’s integrity.”
At present, the Philippines chairs the ASEAN Sustainable and Inclusive Development Committee.
During the meeting, Romulo-Puyat reiterated the Philippines’ commitment to the goals of the ASEAN Tourism Strategic Plan 2016-2025 that seeks to steer the bloc towards having a “green” and “inclusive” tourism sector.
The travel and tourism industry continues to thrive in the Southeast Asian region. Based on ASEAN data, 129 million foreign tourists visited ASEAN member states in 2018, marking an increase of 7.6 percent from 2017.
