AS the world celebrated World Tourism Day, the Climate Change Commission (CCC) on Saturday called for urgent action to shift toward sustainable practices in Philippine tourism.
“The realities of climate change are already upon us, and tourism, as a key economic driver, must evolve to meet these challenges,” Secretary Robert E.A. Borje, vice chairman and executive director of the CCC, said in a statement.
“It’s not just about protecting our destinations, but ensuring that tourism development supports the health of the environment and the communities that rely on it,” he added.
Borje further noted that without decisive action, climate change could drastically alter the country’s tourism landscape.
“We must move swiftly to mainstream sustainable practices across all aspects of tourism. This includes not only reducing carbon emissions but also mitigating the local environmental impacts of tourism activities, from waste management to resource use,” he said.
Domestic tourism remains a key pillar of the Philippine economy, contributing 8.6 percent to the country’s gross domestic product and has churned out 6.2 million jobs in 2023.
Meanwhile, world tourism significantly contributes to global carbon emissions — around 8 percent — primarily through transportation, accommodation and infrastructure development.
Recent extreme weather events highlight the tourism sector’s vulnerability to climate change. The most recent Tropical Storm Enteng caused widespread flooding in Metro Manila and Rizal province, while Super Typhoon Carina last July severely impacted coastal areas and key tourist destinations, disrupting flights, ferry schedules and tourism operations.
To address these challenges, the CCC pushes for the strengthening of waste management systems in tourism areas to prevent environmental degradation and flooding. It also supports community-based, low-impact tourism that empowers local economies while protecting cultural heritage and biodiversity.
“Through a whole-of-government approach, combined with active participation of local communities and private stakeholders, we can ensure that tourism development does not worsen the effects of climate change which brings us closer to realizing a sustainable and resilient future,” Borje said.
The commission encourages all stakeholders in the tourism sector to actively participate in the fight against climate change by adopting sustainable practices and supporting green investments that will ensure the long-term health of the country’s tourism destinations.
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