"It is about recognizing that humans are not separate categories but instead, they are connected and intertwined. Our goal is to build a foundation for both humans and nature, to renew and restore ourselves," he said.
Alampay emphasized that in shifting towards regenerative tourism, local government units must think about people first. This means the community must be involved in developing creative spaces, creative places, and tourism places, like in the City of Baguio. By actively engaging and collaborating with stakeholders, regenerative tourism aims to create lasting positive impacts on both the environment, and the well-being of communities.
"It will take a whole of government, whole of community approach to do this," Alampay said.
He also said that there is a need to respect the story of a place, which includes the past, present, and potential stories of the people and the ecosystems.
Alampay explained that for indigenous communities, indigenous peoples must be engaged from the outset, with sincere and honest effort, not just to consult but to engage. Indigenous peoples must be considered partners and original stakeholders to ensure that their perspectives and rights are respected and integrated into decision-making processes. Once this is institutionalized, the problem of cultural misappropriation can be also avoided.
This ongoing process requires collaboration, innovation, and a long-term commitment to nurturing positive change in tourism practices. (DEG-PIA CAR)
