Yes, the archipelago people believe is blessed with every reason to celebrate its natural beauty — hundreds of gorgeous island beaches, long white shorelines, virgin forests, lush green mountains, rich marine life, caves filled with stunning stones and minerals, among others — also has plenty of reasons to frown.

Our top tourist spots are in danger.

The country’s growing popularity as one of Southeast Asia’s top tourist destinations has led to a huge increase in visitors from around the world. While the booming tourism industry may be good for the economy, our best spots are now facing challenges that need to be addressed immediately. And as a tourist or traveler, you can help preserve the Philippines’ beauty.

1. Overcrowding

Boracay is one spot that gets easily overcrowded, especially during peak seasons (Holy Week, Christmas, New Year, and summer months). Though it’s known as a place for summer parties (see: Laboracay), true travelers should take extra care of this island’s environmental state, now more than ever, if we’re to retain its standing as the second-best island in the world (next to Palawan) in the years to come.

In the nearby Visayan province of Leyte, another tourist spot to watch is the now increasingly famous Kalanggaman Island. Overcrowding affects its environmental state too, especially when visiting tourists show little sense of care.

Up north, the famous village of Sagada in Benguet has drawn a huge number of ‘hugot‘ tourists thanks to the hit movie ‘That Thing Called Tadhana,’ a local film about breaking up and moving on. The sudden influx of tourists has affected not just the local culture but also sanitation and water supply.

The rise of mountain climbing and trekking as a hobby among younger Filipinos is also having a negative impact on well-known Philippine mountains, especially Mount Pulag and Mount Apo.

For a country like the Philippines that prides itself on its tourist spots, this is inevitable. Still, as travelers, we can help decongest our top destinations by planning our visits wisely. Doing so during lean months would be ideal. Did you know Boracay, in particular, is best enjoyed when it’s neither too hot nor too crowded? Our recent trips there, for instance, were during July to September. Aside from having the whole stretch of beach practically to ourselves, accommodation and airfare are also cheaper during lean months. The same goes for other spots. As citizens, we can also urge the local government bodies overseeing these areas to regulate tourism as much as possible.

2. Denudation

Speaking of Mount Pulag, the influx of tourists in the area has resulted in denudation. The same holds true for other Philippine mountains that host campers from all over the country. The mountains are being stripped of the plants and trees that cover them — one of the very reasons we hike and camp there in the first place.

A denuded mountain doesn’t make for much of an attraction. Denudation also disrupts and damages the ecosystem. To avoid contributing to the denudation of our mountains, especially Mt. Pulag, scheduling our hikes during non-peak season would help a great deal. Plus, isn’t it better to do some soul-searching while taking in a breathtaking sea of clouds, rather than watching other people take selfies?

3. Damaging corals

Our tourism stakeholder friends in El Nido, Palawan, have pointed out unbecoming behavior among tourists flocking to this pristine town. Whether from lack of education or simple common sense, many local and foreign tourists step on the corals while snorkeling. Worse, some collect samples as souvenirs. Even locals aren’t exempt from this — a number of tour guides not only tolerate such behavior but engage in it themselves, dropping their boat’s anchor even in coral-rich areas.

Maybe it’s high time for the government and local tour operators to implement stricter rules governing local tourism. But as travelers, we should avoid contributing to such damaging activities and instead help educate our friends about it through our own social media accounts. Deal?

4. Forest fire

That untoward incident on Mount Apo last summer was heartbreaking. Whether man-made or not, forest fires take a heavy toll on our most precious mountains.

While mountain hiking is sometimes a year-round activity, schedule yours wisely. Most importantly, do your part in the campaign against global warming.

5. Disrespecting culture

We all want photos of the places we visit and the people we meet along the way. As responsible travelers, though, let’s all be mindful of the dos and don’ts of interacting with locals. Like other ethnic groups, the Ifugao of Mountain Province are often disrespected when people photograph them face-to-face without asking. Some groups may not require your permission, but it’s always better to ask, and as common sense dictates, avoid using flash — especially if they’re performing rituals.

Being aware of sacred places is one thing, but conducting yourself well is another. Sagada’s hanging coffins have also become an attraction, but everyone should behave in a way that doesn’t violate the sacredness of such a place.

Adding to this list is the proper disposal of non-biodegradable waste, which has long been an issue in many places. While local destinations like Palawan and Davao have strict littering rules, with fines for offenders caught or reported, many of our tourist spots still rely on people’s own sense of manners. Sadly, most people fall short. Don’t be one of them, at least.

Photos from boracaystories.com, rappler.com, gypsettingfreespirit.wordpress.com, geographylwc.org.uk, elnidopalawan.ph, pinoymountaineer.com, discovermtapo.com, kamustamagazine.ph, and traveltropa.com.