TOURISM AND CLIMATE CHANGE: A Development Perspective Reed Aeschliman USAID/Philippines Acting Mission Director UNWTO-ASEAN Conference on Tourism & Climate Change May 19, 2014, Legazpi City
Philippines Biodiversity http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/ Puerto_Princesa_Underground_River.jpg http://www.goldenphoenixboracay.com/english/wpcontent/uploads/2012/01/white_beach_5.jpg http://1.bp.blogspot.com/- b60jzsz4mjk/tyzdmbunbhi/aaaaaaaacw8/zw8tyz6rs2 s/s1600/puerto+princesa+underground+river.jpg http://a-z-animals.com/images/blog/ctri2.jpg
Tourism in the Philippine Economy Tourism has strong potential in reducing poverty Tourism s share in total employment (2016) Employment in million Filipinos 19% Tourism Receipts in billion pesos
Tourism-Environment Relationship Tourism is affected by climate change It also contributes to climate change & environmental degradation
Threats of climate change Philippines is ranked 3 rd in the world as most at risk to climate change It is ranked as the highest in terms of vulnerability to tropical cyclones we get an average of 20 typhoons annually Estimated sea level rise between 29 to 98 centimeters by the end of the century Increase in temperature, rainfall, and extreme weather events
Tourism helps intensify climate change & environmental decline Tourism sector accounts for 5% of manmade CO 2 emissions aviation, car transport, hotels, tourist activities Unsustainable tourist activities and practices cause stresses to the natural environment
A Partnership for Growth A whole-of-government approach for broad-based, inclusive economic growth Philippines is one of four countries around the world to have a PFG with the U.S. Other countries include Tanzania, Ghana, and El Salvador. One of PFG s signature objectives is to unlock new sources of investment, including domestic resources and foreign direct investment. On November 16, 2011, the Philippines and the United States signed a Partnership for Growth (PFG) Joint Statement of Principles
Cities as engines of growth Batangas Port Iloilo Airport The PFG Cities Development Initiative (CDI) assists the Philippines in promoting inclusive growth by providing a range of development interventions in second tier cities outside Metro Manila. Cagayan de Oro-Laguindingan Airport
USAID development initiatives in support of tourism Reduce poverty through enterprise development and profit sharing; Provide training to promote higher education and economic opportunity; Advance gender equality by involving women in tourism activities
USAID focuses on promoting sustainable tourism The Suruí indigenous people use technology to protect their territory from deforestation and receive support from USAID/Brazil to recuperate the Amazon forest Local community members regularly check and replace marker buoys delimiting a marine sanctuary in the Philippines, which has increased the catch of local fishermen while conserving biodiversity. [photo by: Vincent Lumbab] Tourists visiting a marine protected area in the Dominican Republic Jerry Bauer, USFS Philippines fisherman: Many of USAID s biodiversity programs work to restore and protect marine and coastal ecosystems while also providing sustainable harvests of fish to local communities. Sean Killian/Chemonics International
USAID s support in the Philippines Two-pronged approach under economic and environment portfolios USAID s Advancing Philippine Competitiveness (COMPETE) Project supports tourism development through the implementation of the National Tourism Development Plan A host of other environment projects support ecotourism as a means to achieve biodiversity conservation and sustainable economic growth
Success Stories Olango Bird Sanctuary in Cebu Partnership with WWF-Philippines in conservation of whale sharks or Butanding Bohol Tourism Recovery and Rehabilitation Plan
Success Stories Volunteers in Environmental Governance (VEG) Training on coastal resource management Livelihood Community building
Success Stories Coral Triangle Support Project (CTSP) Promoted community participation Encouraged private sector involvement Addressed challenges in fisheries management, live reef fish trade and climate change
USAID s support in the Philippines Improve conservation of key biodiversity areas Improve water security Promote the low emissions development in our cities and communities Increase capacity of local communities to adapt to climate change & reduce and manage disaster risks
USAID s support in the Philippines Solar charging station for electric tricycles in Boracay Island
USAID s Commitment Strive to develop new tourism and ecotourism hubs that will showcase creative business models and technologies that tap into the entrepreneurial spirit of local communities, while protecting the very environments that nurture them. Develop and offer sustainable models for tourism development that is truly competitive and inclusive, and that balances conservation with development
TOURISM AND CLIMATE CHANGE: A Development Perspective Reed Aeschliman USAID/Philippines Acting Mission Director UNWTO-ASEAN Conference on Tourism & Climate Change May 19, 2014, Legazpi City