Preserving national identity with tourism

By Mhicole A. Moral, Special Features and Content Writer

Cultural and historical travel accounts for nearly half of global tourism activity, according to the World Economic Forum. 73% of younger travelers are most interested in destinations that highlight history.

In the Philippines, where centuries-old churches and historical landmarks are already popular stops, the trend is driving more attention to lesser-known historic towns and heritage areas.

Paul John D.R. Hernandez, an educator and member of the Heritage Conservation Society of the Philippines, said that tourism is not harmful by nature, but unchecked tourism can weaken the very heritage that draws visitors in the first place.

“Tourism brings promotion and economic activity. Ticket sales, shops, and enterprises around cultural sites bring in money. But from the conservation perspective, the effect of uncontrolled influx of visitors that goes beyond the site’s capacity is erosion,” Mr. Hernandez told BusinessWorld.

Mr. Hernandez, also known on social media as The Traveling Salakot, said many of the country’s built heritage sites date back to the Spanish colonial period. Stone churches, ancestral homes, and fortifications were constructed in the 16th to 18th centuries. These structures, often made of stone and wood, are especially vulnerable to heavy human activity.

“For example, in Baluarte de San Diego in Intramuros, if you allow people to step inside the excavated parts, the site will deteriorate. That is why access is limited. The mere movement of people affects the integrity of the area,” he explained.

Natural heritage sites are facing the same pressure, and in some cases, the risk is even greater. Popular tourist destinations such as Boracay, Siargao, and Palawan draw massive crowds every year, but the need to build facilities for easier access has altered their landscapes.

“To accommodate the tourists, they alter the natural landscape. They build stairs on a hill; they cement areas so visitors can climb or dive. That changes the land itself,” Mr. Hernandez said. “Heavy foot traffic stresses the soil and surrounding environment, which threatens the long-term health of these sites.”

Without strict guidelines, he explained, landmarks risk being reduced to tourist spots that no longer carry the weight of their original stories.

Bridging heritage and tourism

The passage of the Republic Act No. 10066, also known as the National Cultural Heritage Act, recognized the country’s need to preserve its cultural and historical identity. But years after its enactment, questions remain about its enforcement and the way heritage sites are treated as tourism grows.

According to Mr. Hernandez, a large number of old structures are owned by churches or private groups, which makes decisions about maintenance and protection complicated. Interventions are heavily dependent on multiple sectors, which sometimes delays urgent preservation work.

In response, local governments have begun involving communities in the preservation process. The establishment of History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Offices (HACTO) at city, municipal, and provincial levels has allowed citizens to have a voice in decision-making. These offices bring together officials, cultural workers, and residents to decide how sites should be promoted and maintained.

“It cannot be just the government acting alone. The voice of the people is vital at the local level because they live in the community; the community takes part in the decision-making. They should not only be beneficiaries,” Mr. Hernandez said.

With active community participation, heritage conservation becomes part of local identity. People have organized festivals, walking tours, and cultural fairs that do not only promote tourism but also strengthen appreciation for history.

Alongside these initiatives, research and documentation also contributes in protecting cultural traditions. Local and international groups continue to study local practices and highlight their importance in shaping national identity.

“One important task is the continuous teaching of indigenous knowledge so it can be passed on to the next generation. For example, if the skills of how the rice terraces were built are lost, then part of our identity will disappear,” he added.

However, appreciation for heritage remains low among the public. Many Filipinos still view heritage and the arts as less urgent compared to basic needs.

“Many still do not understand why old buildings, art, and heritage matter. Often people think these are not as important as food on the table,” he said.

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That is why government agencies have started initiatives to bring culture closer to ordinary citizens. For instance, the National Museum now admits visitors for free and operates every day. Regional branches of the National Museum have also become active in hosting programs for students and local communities.

At Rizal Park, cultural shows and open-air performances serve as regular attractions. Even public historians and cultural organizations provide free tours, making heritage learning accessible even to those who might not normally afford guided experiences.

Mr. Hernandez noted that it will take consistent promotion and support from media, schools, and local governments to educate and encourage more people to engage in sustainable tourism.

“Tourism can bring people to the doors of our heritage. But education is what opens those doors,” he explained.

Balancing economic growth and heritage preservation

The push for economic growth often collides with the need to preserve heritage sites. For Mr. Hernandez, heritage protection is not a roadblock to progress but a foundation for inclusive development.

Under the Philippine Development Plan for Culture and the Arts 2024-2029, the government recognizes heritage and culture as drivers of development. The plan connects cultural preservation with economic planning, suggesting that heritage can serve as a foundation for growth.

The roadmap also provides a model for communities to protect cultural landmarks, maintain historic architecture and use those assets to support tourism.

Without careful planning, the pressure to build modern developments may overwhelm the call to protect local sites.

“Once you replace heritage with uniform concrete towers, what’s left to see?” Mr. Hernandez asked. “Tourists are not going to fly halfway across the world to look at the same buildings they can find anywhere.”

When cultural landmarks disappear, they lose more than just buildings, according to the advocate. They lose memory, shared identity, and an economic resource that could have generated jobs.

“When there is heritage and culture, there is tourism. When there is tourism, there is livelihood. And when there is livelihood, there is progress.”

Meanwhile, the growing middle class with greater access to leisure has opened doors for many Filipinos to see parts of the country they had only read about in books. Every trip serves as a reminder that history lives in architecture and traditions that still breathe today.

“When Filipinos travel, they finally appreciate their country. They see its beauty firsthand and realize the Philippines is not homogeneous,” Mr. Hernandez noted. “There is no single Filipino identity; we have Filipino identities. Tourism helps us recognize that.”

He also noted that locals feel a sense of pride when foreign travelers show interest in Philippine culture.

“It gives us pride when others appreciate our country,” he explained. “That is when responsibility comes in: how do we conserve this, and how do we promote these heritage sites without being the ones to destroy them?”

Mr. Hernandez emphasized preservation should never be seen only as a matter for the present generation. He pointed to the Filipino word pamana, which means inheritance, as a reminder that culture and history must be passed on. What communities safeguard today will define what future generations inherit.

“Heritage gives identity and meaning. There are things that cannot be explained in words but can be expressed through art and historic structures,” Mr. Hernandez said.