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However, disaster tourism is certainly not within the contemplation of the provincial development strategy even if disaster risk reduction and tourism are integral components. Disaster tourism is neither encouraged, promoted nor sponsored by the provincial government
The sudden surge of tourists is an unintended consequence of a volcanic eruption. There are actually at least three typologies of this phenomenon - the most common is Mayon watching particularly at Lignon HIll, then the increased visits by NGOs, foundation work, charity groups and other civil society organizations (and inevitably soon, presidentiables and senatoriables) to our evacuation centers and the increased media coverage of the province. Our hotels, even the smaller ones, are getting fully booked. Flights and buses get higher load factors but higher tricycle ridership is the one that gives us real monetary benefit. Tutro-turos, restaurants, malls, bars (even night clubs) too are flourishing.
It is hard but not impossible to pin a number to the incremental output. Easily, 2,400 daily tourists mostly staying for one day assumed at P1,000 daily spending or P2.4 million additional at gross value added factor of .41% or P880,000. This does not match what we spend for evacuation of P1.5 million per day for 9,946 families in temporary shelters.
Admittedly, there are spillover effects as Albay gets unusual attention for other human interest stories and promotion of our destinations like Misibis, Embarcadero, Tiwi and Manito geothermal which we can not quantify. Also, there is conflicting science on its impact on agricultural productivity (higher acidity versus volcanic nutrients) But easily the disruption in classes can also not be discounted. .
On balance, the incremental benefits of disaster tourism is simply outweighed by the actual destruction on our livelihoods, crops and properties. In 2000, this amounted to P284 million, in 2001- P301 million and in 2006 - P505 million. The public expenditure for evacuation lasting between 47 to 92 days at an average P1.5 million per day would cost P70 million to P138 million. Thus, for 2006, the eruption period which lasted 47 days, the total cost to the Albay economy amounted to P505 million + P70 million or P575 million.
In conclusion, Albayanos are better off without an eruption even if anecdotally the public gets carried away by the deceptively benevolent images of surging tourists. The tourism incited by Mayon itself without eruption is certainly beneficial and is strategically pursued by our tourism programs.
Insofar as Mayon itself is concerned, it is a given and we just have to learn to live with it while going for progress.
GOV JOEY SALCEDA
PDCC Chairman |
