How can tourism be a catalyst for heritage conservation? This was the topic of the roundtable discussion (RTD) the UP Diliman (UPD) Asian Institute of Tourism (AIT) held on April 3.
Among those present at the RTD were representatives from government agencies, academic institutions, and local communities.
Below is an article by Milovy Mariel R. Baduria of AIT.
Heritage Conservation and Tourism: A roundtable discussion
By Milovy Mariel R. Baduria
The UP Diliman (UPD) Asian Institute of Tourism (AIT) organized the roundtable discussion (RTD) Heritage Conservation and Tourism on April 3 to address how tourism can serve as a catalyst for heritage conservation.
The RTD brought together key players from government agencies, academic institutions, local communities, and conservation organizations to explore sustainable approaches to preserving the Philippines’ architectural heritage while developing tourism potential.
“We need to find balance between preservation needs and tourism development,” emphasized representatives from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), who presented an overview of heritage conservation frameworks and legal foundations guiding the country’s cultural heritage strategy.
The event highlighted four distinct case studies demonstrating various conservation approaches:
Santa Ana’s heritage tourism initiatives, presented by Sylvia Lichauco of the Santa Ana Heritage Tourism Association, showcased community engagement strategies and heritage conservation challenges in an urban Manila setting.
Purissima Benitez-Johannot shared insights from the Benitez-Tirona MiraNila Foundation’s work preserving a historic home in Quezon City, addressing the challenges of maintaining privately-owned heritage properties.
Representatives from Herencia Sariaya detailed their efforts to protect and promote the colonial-era mansions of Quezon Province, demonstrating how smaller communities can leverage architectural heritage for economic development.
Raymond Macapagal, assistant professor at the UPD Center for International Studies, shared his work on traditional house restoration and community-based tourism in the UNESCO-inscribed Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras.
Through his project, Macapagal collaborated with local families to adaptively restore 12 traditional huts using indigenous methods, establishing these restored dwellings as valuable sites for learning about indigenous culture and creating a sustainable model that preserves architectural heritage while supporting local tourism.
Bridging Disciplines
The interdisciplinary nature of heritage conservation emerged as a central theme throughout the discussions. Architects Giuseppe Luigi Abcede and Berly Locsin from the Heritage Conservation Society emphasized that effective preservation requires looking beyond individual structures to consider broader cultural, political, and geographical contexts.
“When we only talk about buildings in isolation, that’s not sustainable,” noted Dean Luis Maria Bo-ot of the UPD College of Architecture (CA), highlighting the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to heritage preservation.
Looking Forward
As the event concluded, participants focused on concrete next steps, including potential collaborations among the CA, AIT, the Quezon City local government, and local heritage organizations. Discussions centered around developing partnerships to formalize commitments and exploring policy measures like tax incentives for heritage property restoration.
Edieser Dela Santa, professor at the AIT, summarized a key insight from the gathering.
“Tourism drives heritage production. The case studies provide insights on the challenges and opportunities as communities work to balance authentic preservation with tourism development,” he said.
The roundtable marks what the AIT hopes will be the beginning of ongoing conversations and partnerships to advance heritage conservation across the Philippines.
“We hope to make a tangible output on passing on the value of heritage in the Philippines,” remarked AIT Dean Giovanni Legaspi in ensuring that historic structures find new life and purpose in contemporary society.
