SB19 explores collaboration with Fil-Am philanthropist
N
By Troi Santos
EW YORK—Amid an immensely packed array of commitments, SB19 have illuminated a steadfast dedication to community and culture through their rendezvous with the esteemed Dr. Dely Po Go, the incoming president of The Hiraya Foundation for Filipino-American Heritage Preservation Inc. Continued on A2
SB19 with Dr. Dely Po Go in New York. TROI SANTOS
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PHL hospitality industry begins transition to sustainable tourism
GETTING INTO THE T
‘GREEN’ SCENE
By Jonathan L. Mayuga
HE hotel and resort industry in the Philippines is slowly shifting to sustainable tourism on account of the growing demand for sustainable travel options among tourists and travelers, Kenth Hvid Nielsen, regional managing director at Grundfos, said.
With hotels and resorts going “green,” the Philippines remains a very important market for worldclass solutions to water and energy challenges, he added. Nielsen said tourists and travelers have catalyzed a more responsible hospitality sector that makes use of environment-friendly technologies and adopted best practices to conserve both water and energy. Besieged by perennial water and energy supply shortages due to increasing demand on account of population growth and aggravated by the seasonal influx of foreign tourists, Nielsen said the way to go for the hospitality sector is not only to conserve, but optimize water and energy use without compromising the comfortable living sought by guests during their stay. Established in 1945 in Bjerringbro, Denmark, Grundfos is a leading global pump and water solutions company. It pioneers solutions to the world’s water and climate challenges and improves the quality of life for people. Grundfos is also the world’s first water solutions company with approved netzero Science-Based Targets. Grundfos operates with entities in more than 60 countries. With a promise to respect, protect and advance the flow of water, it provides energy- and water-efficient solutions and systems for a wide range of applications for water utilities, industries, and commercial and domestic buildings.
Sustainable practices LIO Beach, El Nido, Palawan JERIAHMABALE | DREAMSTIME.COM
“WHILE many establishments have been early adopters of sustainable practices, such as install-
KENTH HVID NIELSEN: “While many establishments have been early adopters of sustainable practices, such as installing energy-efficient lighting and water-saving measures as well as waste management system, the government’s prioritization of sustainable tourism is supporting this transition.”
ing energy-efficient lighting and water-saving measures as well as waste management systems, the government’s prioritization of sustainable tourism is supporting this transition,” he said, noting for instance that under the National Tourism Development Plan 20232028, the government will seek to improve the tourism sector to promote sustainability and social responsibility. Sustainability continues to be among the main drivers of the Philippines’ tourism sector postCovid-19 pandemic, with hotels recognized as a key part of the country’s ambition to push for greener tourism.
Green tourism
According to Nielsen, at the 2022 World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit held in Manila, then Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat Continued on A2
PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 56.7020 n JAPAN 0.3878 n UK 72.1476 n HK 7.2266 n CHINA 7.7791 n SINGAPORE 41.9984 n AUSTRALIA 36.7032 n EU 61.9639 n KOREA 0.0429 n SAUDI ARABIA 15.1157 Source: BSP (August 31, 2023)