LAURILLA, ANGELA BSTM 2 LESSON 5:APPLICATION A. DESCRIBE THE TOURISM PLATFORM THAT YOU THINK HAS GUIDED THE DEVELOPMENT OF: 1. BORACAY ISLAND 2. PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND RIVER BORACAY ISLAND Boracay, one of the Philippines' most popular vacation destinations, demonstrates how tourism growth can have negative consequences if not managed properly. Boracay, a 10.3-square-kilometer island, received one-third of all visitors to the country in 2017. Unchecked development, insufficient wastewater treatment facilities, and overpopulation resulted in the discovery of widespread environmental violations by an emergency task force. The majority of sewerage systems discharged waste into the sea, thereby polluting the water. On April 26, 2018, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the island's closure to tourists for six months in order to rehabilitate it. Boracay has established itself as a model for sustainable tourism, and the rehabilitation program's success may serve as a platform for establishing an environmentally conscious tourism culture throughout the country. Boracay Island's development fits perfectly into a knowledgebased platform. This platform promotes a sustainable tourism development concept as an essential component of the Boracay Island tourism development strategy. Boracay Island was rehabilitated and developed in response to mass tourism and environmental concerns. This comprehensive rehabilitation plan was developed to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, to control and prevent pollution, to rehabilitate and recover lost and damaged ecosystems, and to sustain island activities without jeopardizing the previous three components. Boracay Island is currently proud of its eco-friendly practices, which support the global call for sustainable tourism. The Philippines' key government agencies, namely the Department of Tourism, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the Department of Interior and Local Government, as well as all Boracay stakeholders, devote their time and resources to restoring, conserving, and protecting Boracay Island, its beauty, and natural resources, in order to ensure equal opportunity for future generations. As they have taken control of the development and recognized that they understand the issues when they also understand the solutions, this is a sustainable tourism development. PUERTO PRINCESA UNDERGROUND RIVER The City Government of Puerto Princesa manages the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) through a program centered on environmental conservation and sustainable development. It is notable for being the first national park to be successfully devolved and managed by a Local Government Unit. The Underground River of Puerto Princesa is equipped with an Adaptancy Platform. The Adaptancy Platform comprises two distinct categories of what constitutes alternative tourism. One is concerned with the environment, while the other is concerned with society. Guidelines govern management in the area, attempting to regulate activities that may have an impact on the property. Additionally, they provide for the establishment of long-term protective measures for agricultural lands contained within the river zone. Thus, not only are the natural resources of the area conserved, but also the residents' quality of life is improved. What if I told you something you already knew? You must submit an application at the City Coliseum in Puerto Princesa in order to be granted permission to see the Underground River. Yes, a permit is required in this situation. Since the Underground River in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, was named one of the New 7 Wonders of the World in 2012 by the worldwide community for being the world's longest navigable subterranean river on January 28, 2012, the Underground River has been a popular tourist destination. Prior to then, it had been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site by the organization. It both attracts and facilitates a large number of travelers, which in turn facilitates mass tourism. In order to protect the area and the people from the destination, it is necessary to obtain a permit to enter the destination; similarly, the Adaptancy Platform acknowledges that mass tourism has negative impacts, but that these impacts can be minimized or avoided through alternative tourism. Adaptancy Platform's alternative tourism guided the river's development by accepting an increasing number of tourists while protecting the area and its inhabitants. CHOOSE ONLY ONE DESTINATION AND FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES BELOW: I. INTRODUCTION (DESCRIBE THE DESTINATION) II. TOURISM DEVELOPMENT (IT COULD BE OLD OR RECENT DEVELOPMENT) III. CONCLUSION (IDENTIFY AND DESCRIBE THE TOURISM PLATFORM THAT YOU THINK HAS GUIDED THE DEVELOPMENT) I. INTRODUCTION Bohol is an oval-shaped province situated in Central Visayas, flanked by the Camotes Sea on the north, the Bohol Sea on the south, and Cebu Strait on the west. It is considered as a key tourist destination in the country which comprises 7000+ islands. The pristine white beaches, lush tropical rainforests, and amazing diving spots support the island’s reputation as an eco-tourism destination. While the nearby islands are more popular among tourists and locals for their white sand beaches and numerous five-star resorts, Bohol has earned the admiration of many visitors for developing tourism in a responsible and sustainable way. Despite having so many beautiful natural and cultural attractions, Bohol was actually once among the poorest provinces in the Philippines. In an effort to promote economic and provincial development, the local government took advantage of Bohol’s rich biodiversity and turned the province into a prime tourist destination. While it was not unlikely for Bohol to follow the footsteps of the neighboring island of Boracay, the local government chose the more sustainable route, not compromising Bohol’s environment for the sake of economic progress. II. TOURISM DEVELOPMENT RECENT DEVELOPMENT) (IT COULD BE OLD OR BOHOL continues to live up to its history as the Philippines' Ecotourism Capital, despite the hurdles posed by huge infrastructural developments. Boracay's six-month closure is expected to boost tourist numbers even more in the coming months. The province conducts sustainable tourism, which fully considers the environmental, economic, and sociocultural consequences of tourism development. Despite the local government's strong political leadership and community support, private investors have questioned the success of Bohol's ecotourism strategy. Gov. Edgar Chato of Bohol stated that the province administration is actively promoting green tourism in order to offset the threat of climate change and the impact of natural disasters on the tourism industry. Hotels and resorts that have recently opened in Bohol think they share responsibility for achieving sustainable tourism goals. This trend is evident in a number of Bohol's attractions, which are centered on Filipino traditions, cultural activities, and indigenous products created from indigenous resources. Apart from being a luxury tourism facility, Bluewater Resort in Panglao features Filipino-inspired architecture on both the interior and outside, with the steel roof covered in more than 6 inches of cogon grass that must be replaced every five years. The cogon grass not only adds a distinct Filipino flavor to the structures, but also acts as an excellent insulator against heat and sound. Even torrential rains are imperceptible inside. A nearly 1,000-square-meter swimming pool with a poolside bar that serves adobo and sisig pizzas is tucked between two rows of twostory premier deluxe structures. The 6.2-hectare resort is a lush paradise nestled between heaven and the deep blue sea, but with the setting and character of a true-blue Filipino. It features 54 rooms and six spaces for a variety of events. Electric carts transport guests through the beautiful landscape, which is dotted with indigenous plants, to the lodging and leisure facilities, restaurant, events venues, activity areas, and the 70meter-wide coastline. A bridge spans the pool, connecting the two buildings' facades and providing access to an island-like central sunbathing platform. A neighboring open structure with a roof and curtains offers a pleasant massage. Another 520-square-meter pool for day excursions is located near the restaurant and coffee shop, which seats 120 people and serves buffet breakfast and a la carte lunches. The adobo rice in bamboo with fried pork and lechon toppings is the restaurant's best-seller. The restaurant looks out over the beach, which is ideal for kayaking and snorkeling due to its proximity to a marine sanctuary. Buoys indicate the sanctuary's border at the point where the beach abruptly drops, forming a magnificent coral wall out of the underwater cliff and attracting divers and marine videographers from all over the world. Bohol comprises over 75 islets with various waterfalls, caverns, and the province's crown jewel—1,776 Chocolate Hills. The island province is home to numerous natural treasures, including the tarsier, an endemic primate found exclusively in the province. Without robust cooperation between local government, the private sector, and the community, many of the 15th-century Spanish churches and ancestral homes devastated in the 2013 earthquake would remain unrepaired and unrestored. Bohol is creating new tourism sites, such as the mangroves of Banacon, the white and powdery dunes of Anda, which can rival Boracay, and Lamanok's mythical island. Margie F. Munsayac, Bluewater Panglao's Vice President for Marketing, stated the resort debuted in 2011 and had survived the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in 2013. Visitors have come from all across the Philippines, China, Korea, Taiwan, the United States, and Europe. Sustainable tourism should be a paradigm for all tourist places around the country in order to preserve the natural environment, sociocultural legacy, and economic development in provinces. Sustainable tourism, as defined by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is tourism that takes into account all of its current and future economic, social, and environmental implications, while also meeting the requirements of visitors, industry, the environment, and host communities. According to the UNWTO, sustainable tourism has three components. These include the following: 1) Make the best possible use of environmental resources, which are critical for tourism development, by preserving critical ecological processes and contributing to the conservation of natural heritage and biodiversity. 2) Respect the host communities' sociocultural authenticity, protect their built and live cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to intercultural understanding and tolerance. 3) Ensure long-term economic viability by delivering equitable socio economic advantages to all stakeholders, such as secure job and income-earning possibilities, as well as social services to host communities, and by contributing to poverty alleviation. All key players, notably private investors, and strong political leadership contribute to broad engagement and consensus formation. II. CONCLUSION (IDENTIFY AND DESCRIBE THE TOURISM PLATFORM THAT YOU THINK HAS GUIDED THE DEVELOPMENT) The development previously held an Adaptancy Tourism Platform through which it actively promoted green tourism in order to alleviate the threat of climate change and the impact of natural disasters on the tourism industry. The newly opened hotels and resorts in Bohol think that they share responsibility for achieving sustainable tourism objectives. The development should serve as a model for all tourist locations around the country, with the goal of preserving the natural environment, sociocultural legacy, and stimulating economic growth in provinces. The platform has aided in the development of ecotourism in the destination by conserving the environment, as the hotel preserves verdant landscapes with indigenous plants along the footpaths and walkways leading to the accommodation and leisure facilities, restaurant, events venues, activity areas, and beachfront, as well as the cogon grass that serves as the resort's structure. Additionally, it fosters ecotourism, which benefits the local population. The adaptancy platform has connected people and development plans, such as the growth of new hotels and resorts to attract tourists. Without a strong partnership between local government, the private sector, and the community, many of the 15thCentury Spanish churches and ancestral homes damaged in the 2013 earthquake will remain unrehabilitated and restored. This demonstrates that the development's purpose is not to harm but to protect the citizens who live within the development area. The province conducts sustainable tourism and ecotourism, which fully considers the environmental, economic, and sociocultural consequences of tourism development.
