In 2023, the city welcomed 1.3 million visitors, inching closer to the 2.2 million annual tourism threshold set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). While tourism is a significant economic driver for Baguio, one has to wonder: Can we keep attracting more tourists without sabotaging the city’s sustainability goals?
On paper, Baguio is pushing hard to make itself a model of a sustainable city. The local government talks of circular economies, zero waste, and preserving the environment. But in practice, much of the city’s development efforts seem focused on attracting even more visitors. The very projects designed to boost tourism—a new facility here, a fresh attraction there, fireworks displays, etc.—are adding strain to a city already teetering on the edge of its environmental limits.
Let’s be honest, promoting sustainability while chasing ever-higher tourism numbers feels a lot like trying to have your cake and eat it too. A circular economy is based on the principle of minimizing waste, conserving resources, and regenerating natural systems. But what happens when the number of visitors exceeds what the city’s resources can support? Traffic congestion, unmanageable waste, strained water supplies, and shrinking green spaces—the exact opposite of sustainability.
Baguio roads are already clogged during peak tourist seasons, waste management is an ongoing issue, and water supply has noticeably deteriorated. The more tourists we attract, the harder it becomes to maintain the balance that sustainability requires. We can’t keep building without considering its long-term environmental costs.
At this rate, Baguio runs the risk of loving itself to death. As more people flock to the city, its infrastructure, water resources, and waste disposal systems are stretched thin. Without careful planning, we could soon find ourselves in a scenario where Baguio’s charm—its fresh air, its scenic parks, its laid-back vibe—is drowned out by the chaos of unsustainable growth.
So, what should we be doing differently? Well, we need to shift our focus from quantity to quality.
Rather than pushing for higher tourist numbers, let’s aim to attract visitors who care about the environment. Eco-tourism is a growing global trend, and Baguio is perfectly positioned to capitalize on it. By promoting responsible tourism and eco-friendly practices, we can ensure that tourists contribute to the city’s well-being rather than detract from it.
The city also needs to set firm limits on the number of visitors allowed during peak seasons. Yes, tourism is important, but so is maintaining a livable city. Implementing a cap on tourist numbers would ensure that we stay within Baguio’s carrying capacity, and avoid further environmental degradation that comes from overcrowding.
The government must make sure that development projects are aligned with the principles of sustainability. That means fewer concrete attractions and buildings, and more investment in green spaces, renewable energy, and efficient public transportation. Only by aligning development with sustainability can we truly protect Baguio’s future.
The bottom line is simple: tourism and sustainability don’t have to be mutually exclusive, but right now, Baguio’s priorities are out of sync.
The clock is ticking, and unless we act now, we could lose whatever hope we have left of achieving the Baguio we want—a Baguio we want for our children.
