THE information campaign of the Department of Tourism–CAR on the progressive accreditation systems for tourism businesses last week turned up to be much eventful, especially since the old “pillars” of the Cordillera’s tourism industry were present – inciting the other attendees to submit their grumbles on the present developments and directions of our tourism industry.
One participant from the Inns (accommodation establishments) pointed out the difficulties of the industry – solid waste management and environmental degradation, traffic, competition, and water problems.
Another, rehashed a long-time proposal of decongesting Baguio City, or investing “outside” the center...to prevent, as they say, the scenario of becoming the next Boracay.
Ironically, we had our seminar on a “new” hotel with more rooms than long-established hotels that I frequent. Ironically also, a number of studies would suggest that accommodation establishments are top producers of wastes. This is because most guests in hotels are clients of a “throw-away culture” – takeout food, convenience stores shopping, etcetera.
In another study, hotels are also blamed for water shortages. It was found out that a usual room for two uses an average of 13 to 15 liters for flushing and 22 to 30 liters for shower and sink (not even accounting bathtub use). This is twice or thrice the average water use of a typical household. Imagine hundreds of rooms, and imagine thousands. Then imagine the community needs for water. That is how urban managers and leaders should imagine what we call a “carrying capacity.”
Since the general concern delved on the standards for accreditation, big players raised the issue on the increasing number of transient homes – some which are admittedly below the standards of accommodations.
As a former backpacker who looks for cheap stays, and in these trying times of six percent inflation rate, I personally believe that options are necessary for advocates of travel – not all has a six-digit monthly salary. Besides, when we promote the concept of “accessibility,” we must truly believe that all persons from all social classes shall have the right to travel and experience the gems of the world.
For the capitalists, decongestion is actually a threat when it comes to the push and shove of the dog-eat-dog-market. Of course an investor will choose a site with millions of foot traffic. Though the lip-service would arrive at supporting the other BLISTT areas, their feasibility studies would always work for their prime intention of maximum profit (which is to focus the money on the city). Hence, more people will always mean more investments, more hotels, more competition, and of course, more wastes and water problems.
It is difficult to address a problem when perhaps, we are, in fact, the problem. The Department’s old-age obsession that tourism is about the accommodations, and the number of arrivals, shall be reversed. Not all sites are for mass tourism, and even in mass tourism, there is a thing called “enough is enough.”
The numbers shall not be the prime tourism indicator for tourism success. As a ray of light, our local tourism offices and stakeholders are starting to understand this concept – transcending their economic goals towards sustainability, community-building, arts and culture, heritage preservation, and environmental consciousness. As it should be, tourism should not only be about profit.
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I wish to remember my father Alberto Ingosan Olsim Jr. in his 7th death anniversary. The heavy pouring of rains has a way of planting melancholy, especially in times of blows and lows. Fortunately, it is also my son’s (Vash Grayzeon’s) 5th birthday. The rain did take a life away, but it also nourished another one – heaven’s reminder that there is always a rainbow after the rain.