Backyard Tourism Industry
Posted on Tuesday, 18 November 2014
Backyard
Tourism Industry
By Apolinario Villalobos
I will never tire of espousing backyard
tourism industry, the kind of small-scale industry that could assure steady but
controlled flow of tourists, but still assure revenue for residents of
touristic destinations. This is the only way by which nature and culture can be
saved, with their pristine attributes maintained without sacrificing the income.
This venture does not need high-rise structures, noisy establishments,
prostitutes and drug pushers that follow the heels of lascivious leisure
seekers.
The mistake of most governments,
especially, the third world countries, lies in their misunderstanding of
tourism. For them, tourism is translated into 5-star hotels and resorts even in
rural areas where tourist spots are located. There is nothing wrong with these
structures, even with the convention centers. But they should be situated in
urban centers. Towns and villages, should be left to their laid back setting,
supported only with nature-friendly facilities that are comfortable enough to
satisfy the needs of visitors.
If the commercial accommodation facilities
of small towns, villages and cities are not enough, what may be offered are
residences of locals as “hospitality homes”. This is then, how the locals can
have their direct share of revenue. The local government can come up with a
list of local residents who are willing to rent out one or two rooms of their
home to visitors for a minimal fee. The offering can include a package of meals
and guided sightseeing tour.
What happened to Boracay should be a lesson
to us. The island has been spoiled beyond recovery. When I visited the island years
ago, with the late and former Antique governor, Evelio Javier, the island’s
beaches were practically sparkling with powdery white sands lapped by crystal
clear water. Only quaint fishermen’s cottages sparsely dotted the beaches.
Coconut trees and fruit trees filled the inland. Coral reefs teemed with marine
life.
Today, Boracay island suffers as marine
sports facilities continue to destroy its coral reefs, seepage from septic
tanks of resort facilities give life to a destructive kind of algae, and worst,
prostitution and drugs that have practically overran the entire island!
With the inception of the move to encourage
the movement of citizens of ASEAN member-countries within the region, by easing
restrictive measures on travel, there is a need for all governments concerned
to take extra precaution. Tourism is the last hope for the region to recover
from losses that resulted from the WTO dream-like promises which proved
exploitive at the expense of third world countries like the Philippines, and
the rest of the southeast-Asian countries, as well. In this regard, the
governments of the southeast-Asian countries should be extra careful in their
moves. Destruction of natural attractions by unrestrained building of
facilities because of the selfish desire to expedite revenue generation is like
killing the duck that lays the golden eggs!
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