TIMELY to the easing travel restrictions in most parts of the country, the Philippines is ready to welcome either in person or virtually over 600 industry leaders and 20 government representatives all over the world as they gather for the 21st Global Summit of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) from April 20 to 22.
Putting the country on the travelers’ radar once again, Ann and Billie Dumaliang, trustees of the Masungi Georeserve Foundation, will be sharing insights on the role of tourism in biodiversity conservation efforts.
“We are honored to be invited by WTTC President Julia Simpson and the Philippine government to speak about our project and continue to work in tandem on vital issues. Tourism plays a crucial role in biodiversity conservation efforts, both in terms of funding and spreading awareness on the importance of the environment,” said Dumaliang, managing trustee of Masungi Georeserve and a National Geographic explorer.
The United Nations Development Programme, through the Biodiversity Finance Initiative, reported in 2018 that the Philippines had an 80 percent biodiversity funding gap. This means that the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan or PBSAP cannot be fully implemented due to resource constraints.
Areas that are protected privately and other effective conservation measures like Masungi Georeserve are helping fill these funding and management gaps. Complementing government initiatives, its team ensures that visitors fully understand how caring for the environment is essential to survival.
“We are hoping that with the resurgence of international and domestic tourism, we will be able to ramp up our conservation work,” she said.
Part of the post-conference itinerary of the delegates is a visit to the Masungi Georeserve.
Masungi Georeserve Foundation provides forest enforcement support to deter and ultimately eliminate threats to the georeserve and surrounding watershed areas. Through on-ground patrolling, installation of ranger stations and investments in monitoring technology, it has accelerated efforts and secured more areas for conservation in pursuance of the Masungi Geopark Project.
To date, the foundation has been able to plant over 60,000 native trees, engage more than 100 park rangers, support 200 local households, and rescue 2,000 hectares of land from encroachment and illegal activities.
The Foundation’s conservation approach has earned it accolades here and abroad with the WTTC recognizing it in its 2018 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards and the United Nations World Tourism Organization, naming it as one of top three privately-led sustainable tourism projects in 2019. Most recently, it won the inaugural global Water Changemakers Award from the Global Water Partnership for speaking truth to power, overcoming inertia, and forming collaborations in watershed rehabilitation. -30-
Image credits: Masungi Georeserve Facebook page