ILOILO City – Pressing for sustainable tourism, the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 has launched the campaign called “Be A Responsible TOURIST.”
How can tourists be responsible?
DOT came up with tips embedded in every letter of the word “tourist”:
* T – take care of yourself and your belongings
* O – own a local souvenir and try local food and delicacies
* U – use trash bins (maintain cleanliness)
* R – respect culture and traditions
* I – indulge only in clean fun (no illegal drugs)
* S – save water and energy
* T – teach others to be responsible tourists
According to DOT regional director Helen Catalbas, sustainable tourism is the flagship program of Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat.
To drumbeat the campaign, Catalbas said DOT mulls to disseminate it through various media platforms.
DOT’s other thrusts are accreditation (of tourism establishments), tourism product development, tourism planning, and tourism trainings. But Catalbas said all these are geared toward sustainable tourism.
“We emphasize regulation,” said Catalbas, citing Boracay Island as an example.
Tourism establishments there are encouraged to be accredited with DOT and for this, they have to meet certain parameters that aim to ensure Boracay’s sustainability.
Boracay was closed for six months of rehabilitation last year after President Rodrigo Duterte called it a cesspool due to the island’s untreated wastewater and illegal structures among others environmental violations.
The closure was from April 26 to Oct. 25, 2018.
Boracay’s rehabilitation, however, remains a work in progress. It may take about two years to complete the rehabilitation. Because of this, the Boracay interagency task force overseeing the rehabilitation is limiting the number of tourists coming in. Roughly only 19,000 tourists may stay on the island at any given time.
Before entering Boracay tourists would be required to present reservations slips or proof of bookings in accommodation establishments accredited by DOT. “No booking, no entry” is the policy to regulate the entry of tourists.
In an advisory, the task force urged the public not to transact with establishments that have not yet secured the necessary clearances, permits and/or accreditation from the DOT, Environment department and Department of Interior and Local Government.
Non-compliant establishments soliciting and/or accepting booking reservations (despite the lack of clearance to open) may be subjected to civil suits for deception.
Smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages are no longer allowed along the White Beach.
The “Laboracay” annual Labor Day party is banned while diving in waters surrounding island is temporarily prohibited.
All water sports and water activities are also temporarily suspended.
Dining by the beach and installation of electric lights on the beachfront is prohibited while fireworks displays are allowed only until 9 p.m.
The famous sandcastle-making in the beachfront will also be regulated.
Souvenir shops and hawkers along beachfront are now banned and fire dancing that uses kerosene is disallowed.
Casinos are banned on the island./PN
