THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has reaffirmed its support for sustainable tourism initiatives that protect natural resources, strengthen local communities, and promote resilient destinations across Luzon.
DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo, who represented Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, expressed the agency’s support during the 1st Luzon Sustainable Tourism Summit held at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.
Pablo emphasized that every tourism destination is more than a place for visitors, noting that it is also a living ecosystem, a cultural heritage, and a home to communities.
“By embracing regenerative ecotourism and harnessing digitalization, we can heal degraded landscapes, strengthen livelihoods, and connect communities to new opportunities,” Pablo said.
He stressed that tourism development should not be limited to attracting visitors and generating economic activity, but should also contribute to environmental protection and community development.
“Our local communities must remain at the center of sustainable tourism efforts, particularly fisherfolk, Indigenous Peoples, entrepreneurs, and the youth,” Pablo noted.
The event gathers representatives from national government agencies, local government units, tourism enterprises, academic institutions, industry associations, and other tourism stakeholders.
With the theme “Innovate, Integrate, Inspire: Redesigning Sustainable and Resilient Tourism through Digitalization,” the summit serves as a venue for stakeholders to exchange practices, develop partnerships, and identify solutions for responsible and sustainable tourism development. (UnliNews Online)
Photo courtesy of DENR Region III
