Weaving the NES into the fabric of Every Ecotourism Effort
At long last, the Philippines now has a National Ecotourism Strategy (NES) that will chart the course of our country's milestone ecotourism development activities, both small scale or large scale, public or private, and local or global.
The National Ecotourism Strategy (NES) shall be prepared to provide an integrated
management plan, which shall warrant a comprehensive direction for the future
of ecotourism in the country by recognizing issues and problems for its sustainable
development and recommend feasible approaches in addressing these issues. The
Strategy shall be formulated in consultation with concerned stakeholders in the
environment and tourism sectors including indigenous peoples and local communities
to be affected by ecotourism development. Other specific and urgent national imperatives
to be addressed by the NES are:
- Diversification of the Philippine tourism product mix in the light of current
downturn in visitor arrivals; Spreading tourism benefits to rural areas not
only for employment generation and poverty alleviation but also for the sustainability
of the tourism industry;
- Provision of an economic rationale for conservation of natural and cultural
sites to ensure the long-term sustainability of conservation management systems;
- Promotion of wholesome styles of recreation in outdoor environments and
provision of conservation awareness and education programs outside the classrooms;
and Creation of models that will demonstrate ways for local communities to
engage in non-exploitative and sustainable utilization of natural resources.
support programs for community stewardship and livelihood development.
To complement and support the NES, a National Ecotourism Program (NEP) shall
be developed. The NEP shall encompass the major aspects of ecotourism, which
are
- development, management and protection of identified ecotourism sites;
- product enhancement and development;
- environmental education and information campaign;
[click here to download copy of the National Ecotourism Strategy]
