Case Study: Historic Town Of Vigan (Philippines)

http://whc.unesco.org/sustainabletourismtoolkit/guide-1-%E2%80%93-case-study-historic-town-
vigan-philippines

a. How did the LGU of Vigan apply the goals and requisites of sustainable tourism (based
from UNWTO goals and requisites discussed during our lecture?)

According to UNWTO’s goals and requisites, these 17 goals create great standards and
guidance to worldly areas and regions in every country to acquaint and maintain the shared goals
of all people: world peace. As these goals are highly encouraged not just by the members of the
UNWTO or the organization itself, but it is also their responsibility for prioritizing the campaign
they have instituted among the world members. Therefore, in Vigan’s circumstances, a city full
of fruitful and abused past, LGUs and stakeholders have come to a decision to reinstate the city’s
life back to how it was known and surpass its state even more. By that, LGUs disclosed their top
priorities for the city such as: (1) Strengthening the sense of identity and pride of the citizens in
the historic city. Not only that this action will help locals to be more confident and
knowledgeable about their rich past but to value their culture as well. This priority was greatly
achieved through the city’s investment in programme research and education across the city. Not
only that, but residents who are property owners were also given conservation guidelines which
brings awareness to locals on how they are able to value more the pride of their city. Another, (2)
Developing Vigan as a tourism destination that enriches and conserves the people’s core values
and traditions. This action was fulfilled as the LGUs of Vigan focused on the community needs
and by carrying a mapping analysis study according to the city’s situation — accordingly, the
LGUs met the expectation of citizens/locals of Vigan.

As a result, nine(9) of the UNWTOs goals were widely attained by the city proving that
these goals are very much helpful in developing areas/regions/cities around the world. Attained
goals are listed below according to UNWTO:

1. Growing Economy (#8 Decent Work and Economic Growth)

2. Drastic increase of visitors’ rate (#10 Reduced Inequalities)
3. Poverty rate decreases (#1 No Poverty)
4. Recovery of city finance (#11 Sustainable Cities and Communities)
5. Remarkably improved health and education rate (#3 Good Health and
Well-Being & #4 Quality Education)
6. The regeneration strategy open doors to numerous investments in many
industries (#17 Partnership for the Goals)
7. Reinstatement as a city in 2001 (#9 Industry, Innovation, and
Infrastructure & #12 Responsible Consumption and Production)
8. Challenging conservation (#9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)

As seen, these goals are greatly attained as the priorities stated were significantly
emphasized as to which path of its goal the LGU focused on. For instance, a downside of these
priorities was that these property owners were given guidelines by the Conservation Council, in
which they are in need of permit(s) from the Conservation Council for their properties to be
developed. This substantially restricts owners to do business, manage, or develop on their own
will as their property falls on the protected historic areas. So, to get to the affected citizens’ good
side, these LGUs developed their infrastructures to showcase the upside of the city
developmental project. Thus, the trust between both locals and LGU’s were seen through a great
compromise each party has shown.

b. What are the possible FUTURE negative impacts of tourism activities in the economy,
socio-culture and environment of Vigan?

Since we are evolving in the modern world where everything may or may not be possible,
there are countless instances where everything will go downhill. Just like it is nonsense that “new
is ALWAYS better”, therefore not every innovation is adaptable. Since Vigan has a remarkable
growing economy, it is only reasonable for it to evolve along with it. But along those tremendous
paths that will come along, it is indeed difficult to grow in a modern world especially where
Vigan’s assets lies on the traditional aspect of its architectural structures. And of course, these
structural designs will continuously be needing extreme maintenance and conservation efforts to
prolong the structures’ life. And in regards to conservation, it is very much necessary for LGUs
to reinstate or renew these long-term policies and management to secure the state of the city and
not only for its tourism aspect but to continue its run as a sustainable community as well.

c. If you are the tourism destination manager or local tourism officer of Vigan, how will
you ensure tourism sustainability in Vigan?

As I’ve stated above, Vigan has attained nine(9) UNWTO Goals, and so far, as
everything is still moving forward, it is only reasonable to commit to circumventing what I have
mentioned in ITEM B. If the achieved nine(9) goals were maintained and still instated, I would
still be focusing on achieving what’s beyond the attained goal. Of course, it will take time but by
focusing on these nine(9), it will be much easier to perform in accord to tourism standards as
several aspects won’t affect tourism activities within the city. But practically speaking,
continuous conservation of these architectural structures will be the main focus of my project. As
I’ve mentioned, these architectural designs are the main assets of the traditional city of Vigan
which is the reason why visitors come to the city. And to maintain these artifacts of ours,
reinstatement, renewal, and upgraded versions of these long-term policies and management are
remarkably important.