Baguio City to Host 2026 Circular Tourism Summit for Sustainable Development
BAGUIO CITY — Baguio City will host the Circular Tourism Summit 2026 on March 30 and 31, 2026, as the city government accelerates its efforts to transition to a sustainable, circular economy. The summit, themed “Weaving a Circular Tourism Economy,” is a key component of the city’s broader Pansa-Nopen Tayo Program.
The two-day event aims to equip tourism stakeholders, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with the tools and knowledge to adopt environmentally sound practices. Focus areas include raising awareness of circular economy principles, identifying viable waste management solutions, and fostering connections between businesses and innovators specializing in upcycling and waste reduction technologies.
Jonathan Co, project head of Sentinel Upcycling Technologies, will deliver the keynote address. Co is recognized for his work in converting waste materials into marketable products, a practice central to the circular economy model.
The initiative is supported by the European Union-Philippines (EU-PH) Green Economy Partnership, which selected Baguio as one of its pilot local government units. The program, co-led by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, aims to enhance waste management and promote renewable energy technologies across participating municipalities.
A central feature of the summit will be the Circular Solutions Marketplace, designed to directly connect hotels, restaurants, and tour operators with recyclers and solution providers. This marketplace is intended to facilitate practical solutions for addressing waste management challenges within the tourism sector.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong has emphasized the necessity of strong leadership and demonstrable results in the city’s circular economy initiatives. City officials state the summit is a continuation of ongoing efforts to minimize waste and build a more resilient local economy.
The Pansa-nopen Tayo program was launched on January 31, 2025, following Baguio’s selection as a grantee of the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership. The five-year initiative, funded by the EU and implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), seeks to improve waste management, support the transition to a circular economy, and accelerate the adoption of renewable energy technologies in local government units.
The city’s push for a circular economy is gaining momentum, with officials anticipating the summit will serve as a catalyst for broader adoption of sustainable practices within the tourism industry and beyond.