by Donald Sevilla
FOR JULY 23, 2023
TOURISM: BOON OR BANE?
Without a doubt, our province may have a lot to offer in
terms of tourist attractions like white sandy beaches,
marvelous Chocolate Hills and centuries-old churches, but
are these enough to sustain our economy? Tourism may
be an economic driver but can we live on tourism alone?
To begin with, tourism is a volatile industry subject to
external factors beyond anyone’s control. When the
infamous 9/11 World Trade Center bombing occurred, it
changed the course of history, so also with the COVID 19
pandemic that saw us in lockdowns and restricted our
travel.
While we enjoyed a huge number of pre-pandemic tourist
arrivals in Bohol, we are now slowly climbing back up the
ladder. We may have a handful of daily direct flights from
Korea but can we feel its impact in our local economy?
Figuratively we may have a lot to rejoice about but the
reality on the ground for the common man is far from
happy. Food prices in our markets are absurdly expensive
as locals compete with tourist dollars. Yet, if we seriously
dig deeper into the picture, we can see that we are left
with a pittance.
Why? While many Korean tourists come to visit us where
do they go and spend their money on? Are we aware that
many establishments/ hotels/ dive shops and restaurants
are owned by fellow Koreans through their Filipino
dummies? Travel agencies with Korean tour guides
operated by Koreans cater to their own.
While it is true that these businesses can generate jobs,
how many of our local workers enjoy above minimum
wage and decent salaries?
Korean money revolves through their own economic circle
within our economy which ultimately is plowed back to
their home country. We may have laws and regulations
governing economic enterprises by foreigners but are they
as stringent as those they have?
We have a lot of laws but many are lacking teeth and
miserably fail in their implementation. Have you ever
wondered how many business establishments in the
tourist island of Panglao have complete business papers,
Mayor’s permit, BIR and all?
I have been to restaurants owned by foreigners that don’t
issue official receipts which have been operating for some
time. Come to think of it, if it were the other way around, is
it any easier for us Filipinos to open and do business in
their home countries? I don’t think so.
Realizing this, it is easy to see now why we have not really
felt the impact this industry has on the grassroots in terms
of economic benefits. With the higher prices of food in our
markets and groceries, expensive plane fares, hotel rates
and restaurant menus we have much to complain about.
An industry that benefits a few but impacts a lot negatively
is not something we could rely on for the long term. We
must open our eyes and reflect on our bias towards
tourism and look for innovative ways to approach our
problems.
As locals, are we happy that we can no longer enjoy freely
our beaches without having to pay entrance fees and
ridiculous prices for cottage rentals? Do we enjoy
discounted rates at tourist hotels and resorts like locals do
in other countries?
Yet we are just looking at the negative economic impact
tourism has given us. What about the social ills that flow
with the tide of tourists? Are we aware that there exists a
child sex-trafficking problem not talked about publicly
behind the dim lights of Panglao’s bars?
The proliferation of illegal drugs and prostitution is part of
the collateral risks that come with the influx of foreigners to
our shores. Are we prepared for its onslaught? We have
barely begun to scratch the surface.
Hence we must not be so gung ho about what tourism
brings and can bring. We must not rest on our laurels and
accolades. We must learn new beginnings and develop
more grounded sources of livelihood that provide us with
sustainable income not dependent on others.
We must develop our agriculture and other industries that
put food on the table and look inwards toward ourselves if
we are to survive the future.