ASEAN tourism energized by the Green Core

As part of the concerted efforts of the ten ASEAN-member countries--Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR), Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam--to unify as a single tourist destination, they have considered the standardization of tourism services. This is in view of establishing the ASEAN as one integrated economic community. At the heart of these standards is the principle of responsibility for environmental integrity.

This ASEAN logo is used for both the green hotel and the homestay awards. The flower resembling lotus means inducing luxurious enjoyment, peace and beauty; the petals enfolding the ASEAN logo signify resilience of member-countries; and the different shades of green symbolize protection of environment, fertility, growth, increase of production in tourism industry.   

The ASEAN Green Hotel Award

The ASEAN Green Hotel Award is a ceremony by the ASEAN-member states in recognition to hotel industry players who qualified for their compliance to the ASEAN Green Hotel Standard, which is succinctly defined as an ASEAN standard respectful of sustainable resources consumption. It establishes a professional green hotel operation such as environmental plan, green product, human resource and environmental management, which will enable environment and communities to benefit from a collective approach to operational professionalism.  Each winner is awarded with a plaque and a certificate of ASEAN Green Hotel Award valid for three years.

There are 11 criteria for this award, namely: (1) environmental policy and actions for hotel operation, (2) use of "green" products, (3) collaboration with the community and local organizations, (4) human resource development, (5) solid waste management, (6) energy efficiency, (7) water efficiency, (8) air quality management (indoor and outdoor), (9) noise pollution control, (10) waste water treatment and management, and (11) toxic and chemical substance disposal management.

Now on its 5th year, the ceremony was held in the Philippines, during its successful hosting of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2016 held in 18-22 January 2016. 

In each member-country, the national tourism organization (NTO) appoints a national body to assess candidate-hotels, which are then nominated by the respective member-state to the ASEAN. For the Philippines, 10 hotels were awarded, namely: Amarela Resort, Amorita Resort, Baguio Country Club, Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan, Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort, Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge, Pearl Farm, The Bellevue Resort, The Manor at Camp John Hay.

DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. (at the centermost, standing) is flanked by the hotel-awardees, namely: Amarela Resort, Amorita Resort, Baguio Country Club, Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan, Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort, Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge, Pearl Farm, The Bellevue Resort, The Manor at Camp John Hay.

The ASEAN Homestay Award

All over the ASEAN region, homestay program is a form of alternative tourism in which tourists are given the opportunity to experience the way of life with local community. The experiential nature of this form of tourism is becoming increasingly popular with foreign tourists.

Establishing the ASEAN Homestay Standard provides an opportunity to standardize a base-level understanding of what a homestay is and to establish a minimum standard across all ASEAN-member states. The standard facilitates a coordinated approach encouraging partnership with the relevant stakeholders and creating a positive environment while revitalizing the rural economy effectively reducing poverty incidence in the countryside. It aims to create higher quality homestays to appeal to discerning tourists.

The standard focuses on the host, accommodation, activities, authenticity, management, location, safety and security, marketing and sustainability principles.

The awardees will benefit from marketing programs being implemented by related government agencies and the ASEAN organization most especially from the branding  of ASEAN Standard Homestay, which is internationally recognized, as well as free training programs.

For the Philippines, the five ASEAN Homestay Awardees are Agan's Homestay, Ates Homestay, Estelita Homestay, Xylla's Estelita Homestay, and Daval Homestay, all from Siquijor Island.

Sandwiching the tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. (4rth from left, standing) are the five ASEAN Homestay Awardees, namely:  Agan's Homestay, Ates Homestay, Estelita Homestay, Xylla's Estelita Homestay, and Daval Estelita Homestay.