PH Tourism is going to be #MoreFunForever
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DOT promotes responsible tourism in new campaign called “#MoreFunForever."
The Department of Tourism (DOT) promises to promote a culture of sustainable tourism in the Philippines through its newest campaign called "More Fun Forever."
"More Fun Forever" is focused on encouraging tourists and stakeholders to preserve the country's tourist spots for future generation.
This time, DOT connects businesses and communities through various initiatives such as collaborative partnerships, strengthening regulations and educating them with the proper guidelines on how to better take care of the island.
"'More Fun Forever' is to celebrate the framework that we had in Boracay. And to encourage [local government units] to adopt this model, sustainable tourism," said Howard Uyking, DOT's assistant secretary for branding and marketing communications in an interview with GMAnetwork.com and other select media.
ASec Uyking joined DOT Undersecretary Art Boncato at the launch of "More Fun Forever" campaign at Sea Wind Resort in Boracay Island April 29.
The event also marked the anniversary of Boracay's closure and rehabilitation.
The resort island was closed to public in April 2018 to address the environmental degradation over the years.
In October 2018, it was reopened to the public and started to become one of the country's most tangible steps toward sustainability.
Uyking said the model used during its rehabilitation is composed of three key parts--responsible tourism, environmental compliance by stakeholders, and inclusive growth for local communities.
Furthermore, the celebration shows what rehabilitation has done to the island's local community and businesses.
By educating people on how to become better stewards of the island's admirable beauty and biodiversity, and urging businesses to be proactive members of the department's initial step towards eco-tourism, the island's pristine beauty was successfully restored.
"It's easier for the government, the locals and the stakeholders to maintain the place, to maintain its cleanliness and its biodiversity if tourists act more responsibly."
FOR FUTURE GENERATION
Meanwhile, Boncato stressed that the development of sustainable tourism is a unilateral decision for the country.
"It's our desire to sustain our sites and attractions.
"We have also the great responsibility to educate the tourists.
"And it's not a one-way thing. It's a two-way thing: we'd like you to come and enjoy our God-given sites, but there's a price to pay in a way that you have to behave in a certain way in enjoying the attractions that we have.
"Like in the general message this afternoon--so that the next generation will be able to enjoy what we are currently enjoying."
Aside from educating tourists, LGUs are also expected to implement strict enforcement of environmental laws, especially to stakeholders.
Boncato said, "Wala naman tayong inimbentong bagong batas.
"In fact, yung laws that we are talking about, they have been there, yung ordinances have been there, you know.
"Now, it's a question of enforcement, question of compliance. That's what we are doing, what the agencies are doing in these destinations.
"The reach of the task force has become very effective in a way because local government units were asked to listen and they're given certain timeframes to rectify some major issues."
The effort to rehabilitate Boracay has inspired more tourist spots to maintain a sustainable place.
Tourism officials hopes to do the same in other popular tourist destinations such as El Nido, Palawan; Panglao, Bohol; Siargao; Sagada; and Baguio.
LOVE BORACAY
The launch of "More Fun Forever" coincided with the weeklong celebration of Boracay's rehabilitation, which was called "Love Boracay: Celebrate, Rehabilitate."
In the same interview, Task Force Boracay deputy ground commander Alfredo Orolfo attested to the positive effect of the rehabilitation done in the beach destination.
He said the local government, with the help of other agencies, has implemented discipline zone areas in Boracay.
"In the initial implementation of the discipline zone, we were able to apprehend so many violators of our ordinances.
"The LGU was able to collect almost PhP1.6 million fines.
"But now it's declining because the people are more aware."
More discipline zones are expected to be implemented as the Boracay rehabilitation enters its second phase.
However, although law enforcement has become stricter, Orolfo assured that tourists can still enjoy Boracay.
He mentioned “Love Boracay” event as an example, "We still have events where people can have fun.
"At the same time, we call it sustainable because we mixed together an awareness campaign for the environment.”
"So, we have sustainability talks, talking to other people to conserve the island and, at the same time, have fun. We still have street parties. We also have Ocean Jam.
"We mixed them together now--we can have fun and we can still be clean."
In a statement, DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat commends everyone who made the rehabilitation possible, led by the department through the guidance of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“A collaborative, multi-sectoral approach is crucial. Our development goals become attainable if we weave a culture of sustainable tourism together,” Sec. Puyat said in a video message presented during the launch of “More Fun Forever.”
Now that DOT plans to expand this program to other areas of the Philippines, Sec. Puyat encourages Filipinos “to encourage everyone to join and work with us in protecting and preserving our tourist sites today, to ensure they will be enjoyed by our children, and theirs too, in the generations to come.”
