Perspectives on Heritage Tourism - Seameo-SPAFA

<strong>Perspectives</strong> on Heritage Tourism
<strong>Perspectives</strong> on Heritage Tourism
vation of historical resources through enhanced governance,
awareness, and appreciation.
Other members of Garbo sa Sugbo Foundation are individually
involved in research on traditional Cebuano art, literature, and
cuisine. The Foundation institutionalises research activities and
provides a central repository for the information. It is envisioned
that the “documentation of Cebuano culture will lead to the
preparation of a cultural heritage plan with programmes to establish
methods of preservation following internationally prescribed
principles; to categorise and prioritise certain areas of preservation;
and to determine what public-private cooperation is needed for
effective preservation” (Villalon, 2005).
A project of the committee on sites, relics, and structures, one of
the three committees organised by the governor under the Cebu
Provincial Tourism and Heritage Council, was the Cebu Provincial
Heritage Caravans. The caravans are the province’s unique attempt
of carrying out an island-wide hands-on training programme on the
basics of heritage conservation for clusters of municipal/city participants
that began in December 2006.
One collaborative initiative between culture/heritage and tourism
in Cebu is the Southern Heritage Trail (Suroy-Suroy Sugbo) which
brings tourists to twenty-one municipalities of southern Cebu.
“Suroy-Suroy Sugbo” was conceived in 2006 as a way of introducing
the towns of the province to city-based Cebuanos, balikbayans 1 , as
well as tourists. It is the most sought-after tour package as it is conducted
only twice a year. It is a unique package that brings tourism
1
Balikbayans are visiting Filipinos who live or work abroad.
to the countryside, and highlights the province of Cebu as a premier
destination by showcasing its culture through dance, music, and
arts. In addition, tourists also enjoy local products and authentic
Cebuano dishes and delicacies. The package unites seaside towns
in South Cebu province in a trail of conserved heritage and community-led
tourism sponsored by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation.
Active and wider private-sector participation is being pursued to
ensure the sustainability of the project.
The Bohol Heritage Tourism Project
Bohol is the 10 th largest island in the Philippines. The first international
treaty of peace and unity (made between Datu Sikatuna, a
native chieftain and Miguel Lopez de Legaspi, a Spanish conquistador),
took place here on March 16, 1565 through a blood compact
(a ceremony known today as Sandugo). Bohol, derived from the
word Bo-ho or Bo-ol, is a prime eco-cultural tourist destination and a
strong agro-industrial province with an empowered and selfreliant
people who are God-loving, law-abiding, proud of their
cultural heritage and committed to the growth and protection of
the environment.
A long term multi-dimensional programme called Bibo Bohol, of
social entrepreneurships drawing resources from Bohol’s cultural
heritage and Boholano creativity, was organised in Bohol. It is a
civic-government programme which aims at specific development
goals of livelihood and employment creation through the creative
industries. These are industries that utilise creativity as the main
resource: cultural tourism, crafts, fashion, industrial design (furniture,
etc.), multimedia (music, movies, and animation), computer
programme design, and architecture (Bibo Bohol, n.d.).
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