Globe Telecom, DOT promote digital tourism and sustainable lifestyle in Siargao Island

In this modern era, we deal with a lot of big and small issues that we oftentimes forget what needs to be prioritized. And among the most concerning problems that we have to face every day is environmental degradation, a threat that needs an urgent action plan. Through our little ways we can help raise environmental awareness, alleviate the gradual depletion of our natural resources, and maintain a sustainable lifestyle in communities.

Last month, Globe Telecom held the Sustainable Tourism Week in Siargao Island as part of its partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT). This 4-day event aimed to promote digital transformation and advocate sustainable practices among the different tourism stakeholders.

A long-term plan to preserve sustainable ecotourism

Striving to meet the needs of tourists and local enterprises while promoting ecotourism in the surfing capital of the country, Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu led the event by giving a glimpse of what the whole team had prepared for the week-long sustainability campaign.

One of Globe’s main goals was to push for digitalization and sustainability through improved communications infrastructure, affordable digital tools and solutions for businesses, and protection of the environment.

Cu assured that Globe will not only help in promoting the Philippine tourism industry but also in furnishing owners of small and medium-sized enterprises with tailor-fit products or services through Globe myBusiness so they can be more competitive both locally and internationally.

“We came in here to make sure that the tourism industry in the Philippines contributes heavily to our economy in order to preserve the growth that we’ve been enjoying throughout the years.” he affirmed.

In order to give tourists, residents, and business owners access to the internet, Globe has inaugurated three cell sites in densely populated areas such as Dapa, General Luna, and Pilar. Determined to address the connectivity requirements in the island, Globe started offering Globe at Home Prepaid Wifi, giving away Traveler’s Sim Cards at the airport, and providing GoWifi in select public locations.

Mynt, a subsidiary of Globe, has also started equipping businesses in the island with GCash for faster and more efficient financial transactions.

Building connection with people

Globe also supports sustainable entrepreneurship in the island and is working closely with Lokal Siargao, a social enterprise that helps provide livelihood to residents by serving as a platform for local producers, farmers, artisans, and craftsmen; Bayatakan Farm Experience which offers an immersive farming experience to tourists and helps farmers earn from their organic harvest; and Bathala Tours which takes guests from General Luna to to different villages in the north for them to experience a more grassroots and local side of Siargao.

While Globe transitions to the use of more eco-friendly plastic alternatives, they donated used tarpaulins to Nature Kids of Siargao founded by Swedish entrepreneur Sanne “Sunny” Sevig to help address the problem of plastic waste management. Nature Kids is an organization that teaches kids the basics of plastic upcycling and provides a source of livelihood to residents by turning clean and dry plastic donations into sustainable products.

Through these efforts, Globe and Department of Tourism are hoping to provide the much-needed boost to the country’s tourism industry while ensuring environmental conservation and sustainability.

To know more about Globe’s initiatives, follow facebook.com/globeICOn and facebook.com/GlobeBridgeCom.

INQUIRER.net BrandRoom/VC/TV