΅ώ²βΜύ΅ώ°ω΄Η²Τ³ΩΓ«ΜύH. LacsamanaΜύ

Sustainable travelΜύand more inclusive tourism recovery areΜύimportantΜύforΜύFilipino tourists, according toΜύtheΜύsurveyΜύβ€œRebuilding tourism in Asia-Pacific: A more conscious traveller?”Μύcommissioned by online travel platform AirbnbΜύin October.ΜύΜύ

β€œIn the wake of the disconnection and economic hardship brought by the pandemic, people are becoming increasingly thoughtful and deliberate about how they can use travel to make a positive contribution to the communities they’re visiting,”ΜύMichelleΜύGoh, Airbnb’s public policy head for Southeast Asia, said in an official statement.Μύ

β€œThey’re thinking deeply about how they can put their tourist dollars to best use and economically empower towns and rural communities that have struggled,” added Ms. Goh, β€œAnd they’re looking to immerse themselves in these communities and forge meaningful connections, while alsoΜύminimizingΜύany unintended negative impacts.”Μύ

TRAVEL PRIORITIESΜύ

The research and analysis, conducted by Economist Impact, showed majority of Filipinos wanting toΜύimmerse in local communities to find out how to minimize their negative impacts and even benefitΜύrural destinationsΜύduring their economic recovery.Μύ

Among the specific travelΜύprioritiesΜύthe survey found were the following:Μύ

  • Approximately 75% of Filipinos value using travel as a way to meaningfully connect with communities and culture.ΜύΜύ
  • Over 70% of respondents say they are more inclined to contribute to the local economy, and will factor this into where they travel and how they spend money as they are conscious that communities areΜύin need ofΜύeconomic recovery.Μύ
  • 76%Μύof respondents say they will be more conscious when it comes toΜύfamiliarizingΜύthemselves with what’s important to the communities they’re visiting and how they can make a contribution.Μύ
  • Nearly 50% say it is important that they’re not contributing to issues such asΜύovertourism.Μύ
  • Over 60%Μύare willing to build sustainable tourism practices into their holiday plans.ΜύΜύ
  • Over 50% of Filipinos polled plan to travel more frequently to rural destinations that are not currently popular with tourists.Μύ
  • 60% plan to take workcations or work remotely when they can.Μύ
  • Looking ahead, 62% plan to engage in more domestic travel than in the past, with the aim of allocating more of their travel budget within their own country.Μύ

Sustainable tourism practices that tourists are most willing to engage in are:Μύ

  • ForgoingΜύcomforts and luxuries on a holiday if their actions can support sustainable tourism outcomesΜύ
  • PayingΜύa premium for an experience that supports sustainable tourism practicesΜύ
  • AvoidingΜύdestinations faced with sustainability challengesΜύ

TRAVEL RECOVERYΜύ

Due to the ongoing risks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), such as the anticipated Omicron variant,ΜύAirbnb assured via e-mail that β€œhealth and safety remain key priorities.”ΜύΜύ

TheirΜύEnhanced Clean protocol,Μύendorsed by the World Travel and TourismΜύCouncil, setsΜύstandardized guidelines for cleaning and sanitization in the home sharingΜύindustry. Hosts areΜύrequired to commit to these COVID-19 safety and cleaning practices.Μύ

According to the platform,Μύthe Philippine Department of Tourism has been their ally inΜύsupporting travel recovery and rebuilding tourism hand in hand with communities.ΜύΜύ

β€œAs demonstrated by our survey findings, we’re seeing a trend where people are attempting to make their travel decisions more sustainable β€” economically, culturally and environmentally β€” and hoping to have a more positive impact by benefiting local communities,”ΜύsaidΜύPratima Singh, Economist Impact’s policy and insights manager.Μύ

Airbnb’s Ms.ΜύGohΜύalsoΜύsaid:Μύβ€œIt’s critically important that both industry and government come together to make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity.”

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