Tourism as an Economic Tool: The Need for Sustainable Strategies

I have had the privilege of visiting many places both in the Philippines and abroad, initially for official travels and more recently as a tourist. Tourism, as I understand it, is designed to attract visitors to a destination, encouraging them to spend their hard-earned money. This influx of spending should ideally become a source of income for local residents, benefiting villages, towns, provinces, and regions through various services provided to tourists.

In numerous popular tourist destinations, the local community thrives with vibrant economic activities. Conversations with locals often reveal how their lives have significantly improved thanks to tourism. Studies suggest that a successful tourist destination typically offers at least three attractions or activities. This variety encourages tourists to stay longer, dine more, and explore the area, leading to increased spending and income for the community. Popular tourist sites often see businesses related to food, accommodation, transportation, and other services flourishing, demonstrating how tourism can be a powerful economic tool for community development.

However, this is not the case for all tourism destinations in the country. Many rely heavily on government or private organization support. In Eastern Visayas, for instance, the Department of Tourism and local government units invest in infrastructure and support services to develop or enhance tourist sites, hoping to boost economic activity. Unfortunately, when government support wanes, these sites often fall into disrepair as the generated revenue is insufficient for maintenance. This cycle of deterioration and sporadic government intervention highlights a significant issue: without a steady stream of visitors, tourism sites struggle to sustain themselves financially.

Sustainable Tourism: Breaking Even and Beyond

A crucial question arises: What is the breakeven number of tourists needed to ensure that the revenue generated not only supports the local economy but also covers the maintenance and improvement of the tourist sites? Samar, one of the poorest provinces in the Philippines, boasts numerous beautiful, world-class tourist attractions. However, the dwindling number of visitors fails to generate enough income to sustain regular operations.

Tourism, which should ideally generate revenue for the local population and government, appears to be a financial drain. The government often spends more on tourism than it earns back, a trend observed in Eastern Visayas and other regions. The high ratio of National Tax Allotment to Local Revenue indicates that local governments rely heavily on national funding. When these funds are allocated to tourism activities, it underscores the imbalance where tourism is more about expenditure than return.

Rethinking Tourism Strategies

Tourism offices need to develop strategies to attract more visitors and fully capitalize on the region's beautiful, world-class destinations. The goal should be to turn tourism into a revenue-generating industry rather than an expense. Current initiatives seem insufficient, and the reasons behind this need to be explored thoroughly.

Moreover, tourism activities like festivals that are patterned after more popular festivals no longer appeal to external visitors. The participants in these festivals are mostly locals, unlike events such as Sinulog or Atiatihan, which draw international tourists. Festivals in Eastern Visayas, which mimic international destinations, fail to attract outside visitors. This means that money circulates internally within the town or city, leading to poor local impact and weak economic development. These festivals are not revenue-generating but rather expenses for local government units, which rely heavily on national financial support.

The reality is stark: many provinces spend significantly more on tourism activities than they earn, resulting in a losing engagement that drains funds rather than boosts the economy. Tourism must be repackaged to address its weak performance. Tourism leaders must go beyond the usual to transform tourism into a significant economic tool rather than a financial burden.

Reflection

Tourism has the potential to be a powerful engine of economic growth and community development. However, it requires strategic planning, innovative thinking, and a focus on sustainability to realize this potential. By addressing current shortcomings and rethinking strategies, tourism in regions like Eastern Visayas can become a driver of economic progress rather than a drain on resources.