Using eco or paper bags, turning off electrical outlets and appliances when not in use, and conserving water are a few standard sustainable practices advised by the Baguio City Mayor’s office in the article entitled, “Acting on Sustainable Tourism for the Environment” posted on April 24 on the city’s government website.
According to the article, these practices, are inlined with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
The article also mentioned that the natural attractions, fresh air from the trees, and diverse flora and fauna are not the only factors that entice visitors to keep coming to the city. It is also because of the culture, arts and sustainable practices.
“It gives the visitors a sense of respect for how the locals stay true to their values and city ordinances that are being implemented in the city,” stated the article. “With the combined help of both locals and tourists, the city is able to unite in helping each other create a green livelihood for all.”
Last December 2022, the Baguio City Tourism Operations Office reported an exceptional increase in tourist arrivals. The number of tourists was estimated between 400,000-500,000, much higher than the 100,000-150,000 recorded during the months prior.
Sustainable tourism in practice
Sustainable tourism, according to the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, refers to the tourism sector’s practices that are sustainable or eco-friendly. It seeks to minimize the negative environmental impacts of tourism while maximizing the positive ones.
Baguio City tourism operations assistant, Eric Dispo said in an interview that their approach to sustainable tourism is to work around Baguio’s natural resources.
“We look into projects that are very practical and of course, people will also cater to them but they will be given a different experience. Counterpart to that, nothing of the natural resources will be destroyed,” he stated.
He said that instead of creating modern establishments like cafes in the center of Baguio that would potentially generate waste, foot traffic, and degrade the area, it is more sustainable to create projects that work around nature.
One project they are currently conceptualizing is a horseback riding road located in Pacdal. “It is quite a historical route also so basically they will go around and enjoy a different scenery that is dense with vegetation,” added Dispo.
“We try to encourage also green architecture, especially when infrastructure already comes in as part of tourism development,” said Dispo.
Other projects they are conceptualizing to mitigate the destruction caused by overtourism are Information Education Campaigns (IECs) and announcements added to the Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) of buses.
“A few minutes before they reach the terminal, mapapanood nila so they’ll know that there is a no smoking ordinance in Baguio, they’ll be reminded to keep the area clean, or dispose of their trash properly, things like that. Basically, all the laws that would relate to enjoying your stay here in Baguio and minimizing your carbon footprint,” he explained.
Leave nothing but footprints
With this continuing trend of tourist arrivals in the city, Dispo enumerated some reminders for tourists on how to minimize their carbon footprint and remain sustainable.
“Of course, number one would be to really take care of their own trash. Basically, that’s it. And follow all the rules and regulations of Baguio when it comes to traffic, when it comes to populated areas,” Dispo said.
Dispo also relies on the adults’ initiative to monitor their children's behavior while in Baguio. “It's a matter of policing their own company. Lalo na ‘pag kids. Syempre kids, when they see flowers, they don’t really know about the laws that you cannot pick flowers,” he added.
He also noted that signages depicting environmental regulations are well spread around the city, such as the no-smoking ordinance and clean-as-you-go or CLAYGO.
Regarding traveling to Baguio, Dispo recommends tourists to try commuting instead of bringing their own vehicles. “As much as possible we would encourage them to commute sana. Para at least they do not contribute to the vehicular traffic here in the city,” he advised.
But most importantly, Dispo encourages tourists to enjoy themselves. “What would be significant for them naman if they come home with memories of only all the policies that were given to them to conduct themselves here?” he acknowledged.
He emphasized that it is more than going to every tourist destination to take photographs. What tourists should really look forward to when visiting Baguio is experiencing the culture.
“As much as possible, they try to immerse themselves in the culture so that they know how Baguio people also conduct themselves as members of the community and they would assimilate into that kind of practice also,” Dispo said.
Restructuring, reinforcing, reviewing
In July of last year, Baguio City tourism officer Aloysius Mapalo presented a three-year action plan to assist the city government in meeting its goals for sustainable and responsible tourism, which focused on a structure of three pillars: environmental sustainability, socio-cultural sustainability and economic sustainability.
Some goals included in the sustainable tourism plan are the restructuring of the City Tourism Office, Baguio Tourism Council and reinforcement of the city’s tourist regulations, procedures and standards.
According to Mapalo, the Baguio City Council can help in strengthening these tourist regulations, procedures and standards by reviewing and updating the 2009 Tourism Code and by implementing ordinances on visitor, environmental and congestion fees.
In the month before, the City Council approved on first reading a proposed amendment of Ordinance No. 61, series of 2009, also known as the Revised Tourism Code of Baguio City, which includes provisions for tourism establishments and other tourism-related operations. The proposed amendment now includes provisions for tourism development.
Supplementary to existing provisions on environmental protection, some amendments in the proposal include the incorporation of flora and fauna within the premises of tourism-related establishments, the integration of preservation methods of the city’s cultural identity, and the incorporation and promotion of cultural and indigenous artworks and artifacts.
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