DOT Media Release May 2014 Page 1

MEDIA RELEASE
21 May 2014


PH hosts UNWTO-ASEAN International Conference
on Tourism and Climate Change

The UNWTO - ASEAN International Conference on Tourism and Climate Change was
held on 19 20 May 2014 in Legazpi City, Province of Albay. It was the third global event after
concluding a series of international meetings which included the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN) National Tourism Organizations (NTO) Meeting and the 26
th
United Nations
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Joint Meeting of the Commission for East Asia and the
Pacific (CAP) and Commission for South Asia (CSA).

The event convened world leaders and experts who presented and shared their views to
create solutions and address the challenge of climate change and its effects on tourism. The
two-day conference on tourism and climate change was divided into three sessions: Policy and
National Strategies on Tourism and Climate Change, Opportunities on Sustainable Tourism for
Building a Low Carbon Development, and Stimulating Consumer Behavior on Innovative
Climate Change and Mitigation and Adaptation Actions.

Hon. Joey Salceda, Governor of the Province of Albay, gave the welcome remarks to the
delegates. It was followed by the opening address of UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai
who said that tourism has become a central global phenomenon in the 21
st
century. Secretary
General Rifai noted that 1.87 billion people travelled internationally in 2013, generating 1.4
trillion US dollars worth of income, one out of 11 jobs in the world, and 9 percent of the world
GDP. In 2013, the Philippines recorded a 9.56 percent growth in international arrivals with
almost 4.7 million visitors from 4.3 million, while tourism receipts grew by 15.1 percent or equal
to 4.4 billion US dollars (186 billion pesos).

We are confident that tourism is a very important part of the future of the Philippines.
This is an industry that not only creates jobs and generates income, it is an industry that
celebrates everything that is beautiful in life, everything that we respect, everything that we
cherish. I would dare to say that it is not only more fun in the Philippines, we even feel better in
the Philippines. We are better people when we travel, and we definitely are ourselves more fun
in the Philippines, Secretary General Rifai concluded.

DOT Media Release May 2014 Page 2

President Benigno Aquino III, who delivered the keynote address, emphasized that
sustainable tourism is essential to inclusive growth. Clearly, as long as tourism can be pursued
in a sustainable manner, then it is certainly one of the best sectors to focus on--and one of the
shortest and most efficient paths to inclusive growth, the chief executive said.

President Aquino further cited how tourism in Donsol through the presence of whale
sharks (butanding) has improved the livelihood in the municipality. Donsol grew from a sixth
class to a first class municipality in less than five years. A sixth class municipality earns an
annual income of less than 15 million pesos, while a first class municipality earns at least 55
million pesos.

This growth has been felt across the board, most especially by the fishermen, whose
income has been bumped up from P300 a day to more than a P1000 a day, depending on the
season. On top of all this, the butanding has become an icon of Philippine tourism; they are
even featured on the backs of our hundred peso bills. The success of Donsol is one that we
want to replicate in many other potential tourist spots, President Aquino added.

The governments immediate response is to plan ahead and reduce the impact of the
effects of climate change on the tourist destinations. It has included climate change adaptation
and mitigation, as well as disaster risk reduction and management, among the major
considerations for future development. The goal is to mainstream climate change adaptation
with local, sectoral, and national plans in order to guide the development of tourist destinations
and tourism activities per locality.

At the end of the two-day conference, UNWTO and ASEAN approved the Legazpi
Declaration on Tourisms Response to Climate Change. Its adoption is expected to speed up
initiatives at the country, regional, and global levels.

We are very happy to host these international events, which yield very important
agreements and protocols to harmonize, strengthen, and facilitate tourism development as
countries and as neighbors. We thank the UNWTO and ASEAN organizers and participants for
this wonderful opportunity to serve and share the world-renowned Filipino hospitality. We are
likewise honored that the President has graced this culminating event, proof positive of his
continuing commitment to making tourism a hallmark of his social contract with the people. We
are therefore more inspired to work harder together towards achieving our economic and social
goals, as well as contributing what we can to the best practices of the international community,
Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. said.



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DOT Media Release May 2014 Page 3


Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr (center) introduces President Benigno S. Aquino III to UN World
Tourism Organization Secretary General Taleb Rifai at the International Conference on Tourism
and Climate Change in Legazpi, Albay. (Photo by DOT Media and Communications Service)

DOT Media Release May 2014 Page 4


President Benigno S. Aquino III speaks at the UNWTO International Conference on Tourism and
Climate Change attended by more than 350 delegates from all over the world. (Photo by DOT
Media and Communications Service)


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Media and Communications Service
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