PANGLAO, Bohol, Nov. 4 (PIA) -- On her first visit here, British Ambassador to the Philippines Laure Bueafils sees it beneficial for Bohol to bank on its edge in the global tourism market.

Speaking during a media conference at the Amarela Resort on Nov. 4, Beaufils, who had an extensive knowledge of the Asian region and its vast potential for culture and heritage tourism,  suggested for Bohol to capitalize on being known as a destination for sustainable tourism. 

She said local governments can come out with an accreditation for resorts, hotels, restaurants and tourism establishments as a demonstration that they meet a certain criteria or standard to merit the seal of approval.

The ambassador believes international tourists think about the environment and its sustainability when they make choices on where to go during holidays.

To her, the certification should meet those criteria and that should go for the establishment’s investment on environment protection, they do not use toxic products, they do not throw their waste on open landfills, and clean and alternative energy use, among others.

In the past administration, Capitol issued enabling mechanisms for the granting of the Ultimate Bohol Experience (UBE) seal for tourism establishments. 

Then Gov. Arthur Yap, upon opening Bohol to bubble tourism, directed “all tourism establishments that wish to reopen to secure an UBE seal on top of the Department of Tourism (DOT) accreditation.”

The seal would be given to establishments who comply with the provincial solid waste management requirement for tourism establishments, the smart determination of its carrying capacity, and the use of renewable energy or energy conservation measures. (RAHC/PIA7 Bohol)