Volume is often equated with income, such that the more tourists there are the bigger the profit. The cost of the profit is often not considered in the equation. Since the country is only using 2 economic indicators for the measure of tourism growth (tourist arrivals and tourist receipts), most local governments and stakeholders think that these are enough to provide the true picture of the industry. Sustainable development is not only about economic benefits, but is also about the integrity of the natural environment, as well as the social development of destinations. Where there are people there are impacts. Unless there are control measures that are established to minimise human impacts, destinations are headed towards a major disaster. Without taking into consideration the impact of development on the natural and social assets of a destination, the country is creating destinations that won’t last 10 years, before they start heading towards the decline stage. Not knowing whether development is destroying the very assets that are bringing in the profits and maintaining the quality of life of the local population, is a myopic way of handling the industry. It would be interesting to conduct carrying capacity studies in popular destinations like Boracay, Puerto Galera and Baguio city to find out how much had been used up and how much is left of their resources.
2. Tourism is the solution to poverty.
Dubbed as the engine of growth tourism is viewed as the absolute solution to poverty. This may be true if tourism is controlled and well planned. But, in many places in the country tourism is simply molded and controlled by market forces which are described as imperfect. This means that the industry can actually end up creating a huge disparity between the rich and the poor. This situation results to more poverty, increased rate and severity of crime, destruction of natural and cultural assets and resource competition between tourists and local residents. Poor people are more vulnerable to human trafficking, child molestation and other serious crimes by syndicates. Tourism is not a simple industry. It is complicated since it touches all other industries. To establish a healthy industry, it is important to have a plan that is pragmatic, easily adaptable and highly acceptable to the stakeholders of the community. Establishing development controls will lead to an industry that will create benefits that are well distributed across the value chain. Inclusive growth will consequently lead to the creation of destinations that will last for many generations.
3. Tourism will help increase protection of outstanding natural places.
Unplanned tourism tends to create impacts that are often irreversible. Stakeholders need to understand the different values attributed to community assets, and not only think of the economic benefits that may be derived from their use. Inter-generational thinking is an important principle that will help ensure that assets are cared for so that they are passed on to future generations. People who only think of profits have the tendency to exploit resources, at the expense of others, including those who belong to the next generations. Outstanding natural places are valuable and fragile. Nature often ends up as the major source of materials for souvenirs. Tourism can only protect these resources if it is controlled and well planned. Protected areas cannot prevent tourism impacts by merely collecting conservation fees.
4. An attraction is a tourism product.
This is perhaps the most common misconception. This belief has led many local governments to promote attractions that are not even safe or ready for people. Just because a site is beautiful doesn't mean that it is ready to be promoted. Here's my personal definition of a tourism product: "An experience that is intentionally created for the satisfaction of a visitor, and for the benefit of the community and the environment. It is composed of things that one can smell, see, taste, hear and feel, including those that are learned, enjoyed, appreciated, felt by the heart and remembered." In most destinations in the country, there are no real products, only a semblance of a product.
5. Promoting a place is enough for tourism to grow and develop.
Since one of the measures of the industry is the volume of tourist traffic, the tendency of industry practitioners is to focus heavily on promotions and marketing because they drive demand. This is especially dangerous for places that are not ready to accept visitors. Since tourists are people, they will require the same resources that are needed by those living in the area. They will need water, food, fuel, transportation, communication, medical attention, places to sleep and eat, and access to the attractions. They also produce trash. If the current resources are not enough for the locals, then allowing tourists to come prematurely will lead to greater shortage and strong competition between visitors and residents. A scary trend is the increased tourist traffic in places where movies had been shot, as in the case of Sagada or Palaui Island. Impacts may even be greater in places that have not gone through any planning process whatsoever, and are not ready for the influx of tourists.
6. Tourism development is only the concern of the Department of Tourism.
Since impacts of tourism development affect everyone, then it is not only the DOT that should be concerned about tourism development. Everyone should have a say as to how tourism development should be. If there is a sector that has the absolute right to demand for a well planned and sustainable industry, it is the future generations because they will be the ones who will have to deal with the social, environmental and economic repercussions of a mismanaged, unplanned and chaotic tourism industry. Local governments are encouraged to take the lead in planning for a healthy industry. Many tourism sites are being promoted from a point of ignorance. Knowledge is crucial if the community wish to align tourism development along the sustainable path, and ensure that destinations will last for many generations. Investment for tourism planning is an investment for the future.
check out the information about the 2-day seminar entitled
Ecotourism 101 to be held on July 23-24, 2014 in Quezon City, Metro Manila.
Click on the link below to get the flier. Free educational videos will be given to participants.
http://www.suievents.com/philippine-ecotourism-101.html