Tourism is a vital economic pillar that contributes to growth and development among economies in the world. Such claim is reinforced by reports from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) showing that in 2017, tourism accounted for about 10.4% (USD 8 trillion) of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 5% (USD 1 trillion) of total investments, 7% (USD 1.5 trillion) of the world’s exports, and 1 in 10 jobs (313 million jobs) in the global economy. The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) also reported that in 2017, international tourist arrivals increased by 7%, which is expected to continue in 2018 at a rate of 4% to 5%. Such trend is also seen in the Philippines. According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), there was an 11% increase in foreign tourist arrivals in 2017 (i.e., 6.6 million arrivals in 2017 from 5.97 million in 2016). This, as per the WTTC, contributed 21.1% (USD 66.3 billion) to GDP, 2.4% (USD 1.9 billion) to total investments, 8% (USD 7.5 billion) to total exports, and 19.2% (7.8 million jobs) to total employment in 2017. This has driven economic activities across localities, especially in rural areas, which increased the number of enterprises that sustain activities in tourism destinations.

Such magnitudes warrant the need for initiatives to foster sustainable tourism. Sustainable tourism is defined by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UNWTO as “tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.” It is primarily concerned about the management and conservation of tourism resources towards equitable development and for the use of succeeding generations. To do this, concerted efforts among stakeholders are necessary.

Tourism stakeholders have the capacity to strengthen and impede sustainability efforts. In providing tourism experience, especially for an archipelagic destination like the Philippines, there is a need for coordination among tourism product and service providers at every stage of the experience to advance sustainable tourism. Coordination is emphasized because unregulated rapid tourism growth weakens sustainability due to its unintentional consequences. In advancing sustainable tourism, it is critical to involve those who are participating and affected by tourism activities. For instance, when local community members are actively involved, it can prompt a sense of ownership among participants. Hence, they will instinctively conserve their attraction. An effective tourism campaign accompanied by tourist satisfaction invites more tourists creating environmental stress thereby and warranting stringent capacity management policies (i.e., closing destinations for rehabilitation, limiting tourist arrivals, rewarding sustainable practices). Such policies are concerted responsibilities of local government, local communities, and private enterprises to ensure that regulations are enforced and monitored that will create long-term benefits. Sustainable tourism must go beyond generating arrivals that disregard carrying capacity limits. Regulations must emphasize on the execution of policies that underscore the triple bottom line – people, planet, and profit. Eventually, tourism can truly be an avenue to provide meaningful employment.

The DOT is optimistic of developing sustainable tourism in the country by rehabilitating destination, enforcing regulations, and improving the quality of tourism products and services.