Ivan Henares

Ivan Anthony Henares, PhD, is a prominent tourism educator, cultural policy researcher, and advocate for heritage conservation in the Philippines. He holds key roles in shaping cultural policy and safeguarding national treasures, serving as Secretary General of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines and Commissioner of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. Globally, he is also Secretary General of the ICOMOS International Cultural Tourism Committee and chairs the Heritage Conservation Society. Dr. Henares is an Assistant Professor at the Asian Institute of Tourism, University of the Philippines, Diliman. He earned his PhD in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Purdue University as a Fulbright-CHED Scholar, with additional degrees from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, and an Executive Graduate Certificate in Arts Innovation. Dr. Henares's advocacy and research center on heritage conservation and tourism policy, particularly cultural tourism within historic urban landscapes, industrial heritage, cultural landscapes, and indigenous communities across the Philippines. His projects include the preservation of Pampanga cultural heritage – particularly in San Fernando – and the Sugar Cultural Landscape of Negros Island, where he collaborates with local stakeholders. He also developed a sustainable cultural tourism program with the Agusan Manobo community. He believes that heritage conservation is vital for Filipino identity and offers valuable economic investment through tourism. A travel blogger since the 2000s, his site won the Best Travel Blog award at the first Philippine Blog Awards in 2007. He has received awards such as The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) in Heritage Conservation in 2012 and an Asia 21 Young Leader in 2008.