The Central Luzon Sustainable Tourism Summit returned for its second year, held on September 11-12, 2024, at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center. The summit, supported by NLEX Corporation, focused on the region’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality under the theme “Towards a Carbon Neutral Future: Central Luzon’s Commitment to Sustainable Tourism.”
This two-day event brought together key figures from the tourism industry, government agencies, and environmental organizations to discuss strategies for sustainable tourism in Central Luzon. Participants explored how tourism could be a driver for reducing carbon emissions, with experts from various industries sharing insights on implementing sustainable practices in both large-scale operations and grassroots initiatives.
Notable sessions covered a range of topics, including sustainable tourism planning, marketing, and operations. Workshops allowed attendees to engage more deeply with these ideas, while panel discussions highlighted trends and best practices in the industry. Alongside these talks were exhibits featuring eco-friendly tourism products and services, offering concrete examples of what sustainable tourism can look like in practice.
An important aspect of the summit was the eco-tours, which gave participants the chance to visit various sustainable tourism sites around Central Luzon. These tours included a stop at the SBMA Ecology Center’s 64.3-hectare mangrove nursery in Subic, a visit to Pinatubo Brewery in Zambales, and an immersive experience at Dela Liana resort. These visits emphasized how local tourism can integrate eco-friendly practices while still offering unique, enriching experiences for visitors. (More on the sessions and eco-tours on future articles.)
Central Luzon or Region III covers seven provinces–Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales.
NLEX’s continued support for sustainable tourism
NLEX Corporation, a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), has been a consistent partner in this annual event since its inception. NLEX’s role goes beyond sponsorship, as the company itself embodies the principles of sustainable development.
As one of the country’s leading expressway operators, NLEX has been proactive in adopting green initiatives that align with global sustainability goals. The company has taken meaningful steps to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to cleaner, more sustainable travel experiences for road users.
For starters, solar panels power several of its toll plazas, and the company has begun incorporating electric vehicles into its fleet. Other initiatives include the installation of LED lights across its expressways and toll plazas, along with motion sensor lights in offices to minimize energy waste. NLEX is also actively involved in waste management, the rehabilitation of the Tullahan River, and greening efforts along its expressway corridors to improve air quality.
These measures underscore NLEX’s commitment to supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in terms of reducing carbon emissions (SDG 13), building resilient infrastructure (SDG 9), and promoting sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11).
By backing the Central Luzon Sustainable Tourism Summit, NLEX plays a vital role in promoting sustainable tourism practices in the region. The company’s long-standing partnership with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and the Department of Tourism Region III demonstrates its dedication to promoting a tourism industry that is resilient, eco-conscious, and forward-thinking.
