by Kris Crismundo/PNA
With its rich natural resources and culture, the Asia Pacific can sustain its economic growth for the next decade through sustainable tourism.
During the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Island Economic Cooperation Forum here Thursday, Pacific-China Friendship Association President Hiria Ottino said tourism is an important driver for the economic growth of Asia Pacific region.
Ottino noted that tourism creates job opportunities for the people and revenues for the government.
He enumerated three elements for sustainable tourism — human and cultural assets, environment and natural resources, and government.
“Sustainable tourism should involve the community and their culture. Tourism should benefit people and promote their culture,” Ottino said.
“Environment and natural resources are national assets. Tourism should be here to protect these assets,” he added.
Ottino thus underscored the need for the government to promote policies that would sustain economic stability in the tourism area.
He also urged development banks to invest in tourism, as these institutions will help in bringing technical and financial assistance to communities.
“Development banks should play much more important role in tourism development,” he said.
“For small nations in the Asia Pacific, sustainable tourism is a way towards self-sufficiency. It will bring us better infrastructure, transportation, health services, and education,” he added.
Ottino stressed that stronger cooperation among government, private sector, and the community is needed to ensure sustainable tourism.
Meanwhile, the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Island Economic Cooperation Forum is a sub-forum of Boao Forum for Asia.
It is initiated by the Hainan Provincial Government and sponsored by China-ASEAN Maritime Cooperation Fund to promote Chinese government’s Silk Road initiative.
