Green Getaways – travel and stay green!

conserving nature and culture while sharing it with the world

WHY GO GREEN?

Minimize impact, raise sensitivity

It is high time for savvy travelers and globe trotters to re-focus our travel and holiday mindset to SUSTAINABLE TOURISM: satisfying current tourist and host community needs, while protecting and improving future opportunities.

GOING BEYOND GREEN

Tourism for people, planet & profit.

It is enjoying our rich natural resources, while maintaining essential ecological processes, cultural integrity and biological diversity of beach destinations and cultural heritage sights, with lesser impact to community and environment.

Fight global climate change

GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE is taking its toll on the planet, wrecking havoc and destruction to our natural environment, rural communities and even big cities! We have to do our part in leaving less impact to the environment.

The message is RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL: let us protect the environment, care about local communities and culture as we explore, experience and enjoy. It’s travelling without a trace, stepping without footprints!

To know more about Sustainable Tourism, click here.

Stepping forward without footprints, embracing sustainability ethos.

Travel with a difference in these genuine GREEN GETAWAYS  such as our Negros Agri-tours, discover Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB) and Care for Coron‘s Tagbanua tribes-  meaningful journeys that touches the soul!

Coron Nature Experience: respect and protect nature

JOIN PERU DREAM TRIP  by Inkaterra, Peru’s Eco Pioneer and Conservation Leader since 1975; 100% Carbon Neutral travel and stay, any day departure. For more information and travel assistance to Peru, email sustainabilityg@sonixnet.jp

The Coron Initiative, The Negros Initiative & The Boracay Initiative are Sustainable Tourism, Conservation and Social Responsibility frameworks being implemented in Coron, Negros Occidental & Boracay with institutional partners Zero Carbon Resorts, Green Hotels & Clean Blue promoting green, eco-friendly and responsible travel.

Travel and stay green at our Green Hotels Asia Pacific member hotels!

GREEN HOTELS ASIA PACIFIC is our network of the most reliable eco responsible hotels around the world. It works to help the hotel industry embrace sustainability by integrating innovation and added value with environmental actions in a vibrant green global exchange of hoteliers, operators and responsible clients.

Sustainable Tourism, the way forward

Tourism is one of the world’s fastest growing industries and an important source of foreign exchange and employment for many developing countries. Since the mid 90’s we have heard of the term “Sustainable Tourism” and thought of it vaguely as something good for the planet and for the future of tourism but most of us do not really know what it is and its value.

Preserving culture and nature while sharing it with the rest of the world.

Sustainable is Explainable. According to the World Tourism Organization (WTO), Sustainable Tourism is “satisfying current tourist and host community needs, while protecting and improving future opportunities.” Put simply, Sustainability is the capacity to endure. In ecology the word describes how biological systems remain diverse and productive over time with due consideration for carrying capacity. For humanity, it is the continuing maintenance of its well-being, as it depends on the natural resources’ benefits and its responsible use.

Poverty, deforestation and destruction of marine eco systems has damaged some of the islands’ beauty and assets

In the Philippines, the 7107 islands archipelago is blessed with a wealth of natural resources: verdant tropical forest and a stunning range of marine biodiversity, even declared in one region as a Natural World Heritage site. However through the years, ignorance, recklessness, lack of education or awareness, poverty, deforestation and destruction of marine eco systems has damaged some of the islands’ beauty and assets, the very same source that provide livelihood for millions of citizens. More so for its top beach attractions, where stakeholders and travelers alike are unaware of their responsibility to conserve and avoid damage to the places they develop or visit, now vulnerable and threatened, and worse in some, endangered. This is not withstanding the fact that global climate change has fast-tracked the destruction.

Peru, destination of Ancient cultures, mysticism and tradition

Peru, is a country made up of three vast and distinct geographical zones, the 2,414 kilometers of the Pacific coast, featuring deserts, fertile valleys, savannas and spectacular surf beaches, the majestic peaks of the Andes mountains dominated by

Tropical rainforests dubbed as the Lungs of the earth.

However, its environment faces serious issues such asdeforestation from illegal logging, air pollution in Lima, toxic waste of rivers and coastal waters from municipal and mining wastes in the Central Peruvian Andes region and erosion of its mountains. Its tourism still in its infancy stage caters to both internal and international market, however it already faces threats to its archeological sites, biodiversity and natural wonders due to massive tourism.

Un-sustainable tourism has destroyed many destinations with pollution, waste, and overconsumption

According to UNEP, Sustainable Tourism describes policies, practices and programs that take into account not only the expectations of tourists regarding responsible natural resource management (demand), but also the needs of communities that support or are affected by tourism projects and the environment (supply)2. Sustainable tourism thus aspires to be more energy efficient and more “climate sound” (e.g. by using renewable energy); consume less water; minimise waste; conserve biodiversity, cultural heritage and traditional values; support intercultural understanding and tolerance; and generate local income and integrate local communities with a view to improving livelihoods and reducing poverty.

Local cultures, values and traditions are affected adversely from the profusion of massive expansion without any regard for eco balance. One major loss is authenticity, a major pillar in the principle of sustainable tourism, which should maintain the geographical character of a place, its environment, heritage, aesthetics, culture and well-being of its residents.

Community consultation in action, in Coron Island

Sustainable is Attainable.  Sustainable tourism development requires the informed participation of all relevant stakeholders, as well as strong political leadership to ensure wide participation and consensus building,” according to WTO guidelines. To achieve Sustainable Tourism, all sectors have to follow a continuous process which requires constant monitoring of impacts and implement the necessary preventive and/or corrective measures at all times.

In summary Sustainable Tourism is:

• Making optimal use of environmental resources that form a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity

Community cooperation in conservation and tourism

• Respecting the sociocultural authenticity of host communities, conserving their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contributing to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance.

Populace policy participation on Marine Protected Areas

• Ensuring viable, long-term economic operations, providing equal socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders, including stable employment, income-earning opportunities and social services to host communities and contributing to poverty alleviation.

Luxury lodgings at jungle’s best, exquisite regional cuisine, guests learning of the rainforest, biodiversity AND conservation

Sustainable tourism should not only satisfy the travelers’ needs of pleasure and relaxation but also ensure a meaningful experience that raises their awareness about preserving and conserving nature and culture while contributing to the local community as a lasting legacy.

Just like Inkaterra in Peru & Calamian Expeditions in Coron, Palawan’s ecological ethos, Sustainable Tourism is conserving culture and protecting  nature while sharing it with the rest of the world.

 The Coron Initiative, The Negros Initiative & The Boracay Initiative are Sustainable Tourism, Conservation and Social Responsibility frameworks being implemented in Coron, Negros Occidental & Boracay with institutional partners Zero Carbon Resorts, Green Hotels & Clean Blue. Sustainability Capacity Building and Training programs for  communities, cities and destinations  include Good Governance, Rio 21 Agenda-GreenEconomy, Waste Management/3Rs/MRF, Resilience, Disaster Prevention and Management. Educational programs can be customized for public and private stakeholders, LGUs, private businesses and the local community in general.

 ZERO CARBON RESORTS  is our joint project with GrAT  for SMEs in the Tourism Industry to reduce carbon footprint by switching from use of fossil fuel to renewable energy sources especially solar energy and green technologies.

Zero Carbon Resorts, reducing carbon footprint of the tourism industry

 GREEN HOTELS ASIA PACIFIC is our network of the most reliable eco responsible hotels around the world to help the hotel industry embrace sustainability by integrating innovation and added value with environmental actions in a vibrant green global exchange of hoteliers, operators and responsible clients.

Green Hotels Asia Pacific, our network of eco-responsible and sustainable hotels

 CLEAN BLUE ASIA is thenew industry standard for beach management and safety – ISO 13009 - CBIS standards.

References: UNEP, UN- WTO, National Geographic, Wikipedia. Photos credits: Al3 Photography for Coron, Palawan, Inkaterra for Peru

The Coron Initiative, towards sustainable Coron and Calamianes islands

Al Linsanga III- passionate about Palawan

It was providential that I met Al Linsangan III, an Environmental photographer by passion and ecotourism operator by profession, Executive Director of the Coron & Calamianes Cultural Conservation Networks Inc., our lead NGO Advocate for The Coron Initiative,  working towards sustainable Coron in the next millennium.

Coron Ancestral domain, Calamianes group of islands

Soon after graduating from his Economics course, in what the Westerns would call their “gap year”, Al took off from his home town, Coron to venture across on the island next door of the same name and lived in the ancestral domain of the indigenous cultural communities of the Tagbanuas, immersing himself in its primitive living culture while wandering in its natural wonders. From then on, Al trained and worked his way to become Coron, Palawan’s Eco expert in the truest sense.

Saving Siete Pecados Marine Sanctuary

Trailblazing training. His training through the years boasts of a broad reach of Ecological awareness and Geotourism know-how: from Bird watching basics to Reef assessment course, from Environmental interpretation to Project Learning Tree & Water Education for Teachers (WET) workshops. To further his knowledge on the geological and environmental character of his native region, he trained in a Fisheries management & assessment workshop, under the USAID-F.I.S.H. project and the Sustainable environment management program for Northern Palawan. In the field of tourism, his groundwork is rock solid: a Product development workshop, Tour guide training, and Hotel and restaurant services, management and consultancy as well as his employment with environmental NGOs, natural parks & wildlife management, a cruise/dive company, among others.

Focus on Environmental Photography

To promote his hometown natural specialties and splendor, he took a Basic and  Advanced Photography course, while doing actual research literally on the road about the local arts and crafts, criss-crossing his province. All these, plus various workshops in management, leadership, paralegal, emergency first response, solid and ecological waste management, as well as internship in a natural protected area management, Al has practically learned and earned veritable and valuable credentials as an innovative and trailblazing Conservation connoisseur.   

 

  

 

Community creativity- alternative livelihood

Eco Entrepreneur. With all these up his sleeve and hard earned capital in his pocket, he set out to establish several creative and authentic SME operations, to include Coron Galeri, an arts and crafts shop and Palawan Outdoors, an adventure specialist and expanded to Calamianes Expeditions and Eco tours, a low-priced full serviced tours utilizing the local service groups such as tour guides, boat men, restaurants and caterers, his Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at grassroots application. He then sat as President of Calamianes Association of Tourism Establishment in 2008-2009. Aside from these, he set up the Calamianes Conservation & Cultural Networks Inc. (CCCN), an NGO that took part in the restoration and establishment of the Siete Pecados Marine Park, a coral reef sanctuary and the Calamian Geographic Society (a group of outdoor oriented youths supporting the programs of CCCN, Tribu Calamianen, a Palawan indigenous cultural music group (see, I told you he looked like a band member!), Calamian Planet Online Internet Café and ultimately Al3 Studios.

Award winning photo of Banol Beach, Coron

His current focus is on Environmental photography and videography (no pun intended) where he dramatically depicts images of people, arts & culture, underwater, landscapes, events, cultural and historical heritage, most were featured in brochures, calendars, magazines and coffee table books while some were award winning.

Now more than ever, Al has a new challenge in the Ecological call of duty, establishing The Coron Initiative©, a vanguard Conservation, Social Responsibility and Sustainable Tourism model for Northern Palawan, with a comprehensive coverage to surpass all so-called paradigm of ecotourism practices.

Al Linsangan, leading the way forward

The Coron Initiative by the Calamianes Conservation & Cultural Networks Inc. (CCCN) headed by Al Linsangan as Executive Director, will be working with institutional partners Zero Carbon Resorts, Green Hotels & Clean Blue Asia, Sustainable Beach Management.

Sustainability Capacity Building and Training programs for communities and destinations  include Good Governance, Rio 21 Agenda, Waste Management/3Rs/MRF, Resilience, Disaster Prevention and Management with UNEP’s GPA Manila Declaration, DENR’s Integrated Coastal Management Program & Coral Triangle Initiative guidelines. Educational programs are customized for public and private stakeholders, local government units, private businesses and the local community in general.

ZERO CARBON RESORTS is our joint project with GrAt for the SMEs in the Tourism Industry to reduce carbon footprint by switching from use of fossil fuel to renewable energy sources especially solar energy and green technologies.

GREEN HOTELS ASIA PACIFIC is our network of the most reliable eco responsible hotels around the world. It works to help the hotel industry embrace sustainability by integrating innovation and added value with environmental actions in a vibrant global exchange of green hoteliers, operators and responsible clients.

CLEAN BLUE ASIA is the new industry standard for beach management and safety – ISO 13009  - the “Clean Blue Industry Standard” CBIS – to help provide beach operators with the information and guidance to effectively manage the beaches of Asia – Pacific.

For more info and assistance in your community or beach business, email sustainabilityg@sonixnet.jp

All photos of Coron are courtesy of Al3 Photography & Videography