Tour operators, travel agency owners, government officials, tourism students, and other stakeholders in the industry in the Visayas will have a great opportunity to learn about relevant trends in eco-tourism and eco-productivity when Eco-Mismo makes its way to Cebu and Bohol next week.
The landmark road show project of RPDEV Chairman and former President Fidel Ramos aims to help various locales in the country position themselves as top eco-tourism destinations and share best practices in eco-productivity.
The Cebu leg of Eco-Mismo is set to take place on January 22 at the Marco Polo Plaza in Cebu City. At the conference, leading figures in the Philippine tourism industry are scheduled to talk about such relevant themes as the conservation of the province’s natural and cultural resources, the role of government and private organizations in eco-productivity and tourism development, and how to profitably manage tourist operations while keeping the destinations sustainable.
The Bohol leg of Eco-Mismo meanwhile will be held on January 23 at the Bohol Beach Club in Panglao Island. Issues relevant to Bohol tourism will be discussed, including, wastewater management, energy efficiency, clean development mechanisms, and solid waste management.
Eco-Mismo paves the way for a cross-section of industry players and multi-sectoral stakeholders to discuss problems and map out solutions on matters concerning eco-tourism, eco-productivity, and sustainable development. It seeks to promote green travel through eco-productivity – a practical solution that pushes efficient and productive use of resources, environmental protection, and poverty eradication.
The series of conferences comes amid growing concerns over climate change and the global financial crisis that has exacerbated problems in the country’s tourism industry and its wider economy. According to a 2009 survey by the World Economic Forum, the Philippines’ overall ranking in travel and tourism dropped from 81st place in 2008 to 86th place in 2009.
Scheduled speakers at the Visayas stops include former President Ramos, Department of Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu, and Gov. Erico Aumentado of Bohol; as well as World Wildlife Fund-Philippines Vice Chairman Jose Ma. Lorenzo Tan; and Asia Pacific Projects President Narzalina Lim, former Secretary of the Department of Tourism, who is also serving as the conference chairperson.
Alan Cajes, Vice President of the DAP Center for Sustainable Human Development; and El Nido Resorts Environmental Manager Mariglo Laririt are also scheduled to deliver presentations at the Cebu conference. The Bohol conference meanwhile will also feature talks from Lucas Nunag of the Bohol Provincial Tourism Council; Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia Chief Technical Officer Adrian Ross; and Soil and Water Conservation Foundation President William Granert.
Eco-Mismo will be organized by RPDEV in partnership with the Department of Tourism and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Additional support will be provided by Benedicto Steel and the Provincial Government of Cebu for the Cebu conference, and by the Provincial Government of Bohol for the Bohol stop.
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