https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/95 2026-04-28T13:20:12Z 2026-04-28T13:20:12Z Musico, Stephinejane Elumba https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/3789 2026-04-10T02:00:32Z 2025-05-01T00:00:00Z

The benefits and drawbacks of sustainable tourism in Siargao Islands, Philippines: An exploratory inquiry Musico, Stephinejane Elumba Siargao Islands, Philippines is globally renowned for its world-class surfing spots, powdery white beaches, and vibrant local culture, positioning it as one of the world's leading island destinations. However, sustainable tourism remains a critical area of inquiry given the limited research on how local stakeholders manage the balance between tourism and conservation. This study addresses this gap by exploring the diverse local perspectives and providing context-specific insights into how the island can balance tourism growth with sustainability. An exploratory qualitative case study methodology was employed, utilizing thematic analysis of semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 19 purposively selected stakeholders including four municipal tourism officers, three accommodation providers, two tour operators, two tour guides, four food and beverage providers, one transportation provider, one local business owner, one startup entrepreneur, and one tourism educator. The findings reveal economic benefits of tourism such as increased economic growth and livelihood opportunities, environmental conservation, and social and cultural enhancement. Drawbacks are also identified including resource strain, erosion of local culture, displacement, rising costs of commodities and tourism-driven price increases. The preservation of natural assets, economic and social development, and competitive advantage driven by tourism are essential for maintaining Siargao as a leading island destination. Nevertheless, fundamental sustainable tourism imperatives such as environmental stewardship, economic equity, and social balance must be prioritized to ensure the attainment of longterm development objectives, including robust infrastructure, economic sustainability, and environmental and social resilience. This study concludes that tourism is essential for building a resilient, balanced, and future-ready island economy. Furthermore, it advocates for the establishment of a unified regulatory framework, community-driven waste management systems, the support of local MSMEs and startups, the preservation of cultural heritage, investment in sustainable infrastructure, the promotion of complementary sectors, enhancement of participatory governance and land-use protections to protect residents from the drawbacks of tourism. Abstract only

2025-05-01T00:00:00Z Maravilla, Vicente S. Jr https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/3719 2026-02-13T03:00:39Z 2025-05-01T00:00:00Z

Shared governance in community-oriented tourist destinations: An exploratory case study Maravilla, Vicente S. Jr Shared governance is vital for managing community-oriented tourism destinations and promoting stakeholder empowerment through collaboration, participatory decision making, and sustainable development. However, its practical implementation is complex due to varying levels of engagement and governance challenges. This study examines the collaborative dynamics of shared governance in community-oriented tourism, focusing on factors influencing stakeholder engagement, difficulties in implementation, and impacts on sustainability and community empowerment. Conducted in Ormoc City, Philippines, the qualitative research involved in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 13 stakeholders, including local government, tourism associations, businesses, and community groups. The thematic analysis highlighted that effective shared governance relies on multi-stakeholder engagement, strong public-private partnerships, trust, accountability, and clear roles. Challenges include conflicting priorities, resource constraints, power imbalances, and bureaucratic barriers. Despite these obstacles, shared governance fosters tourism sustainability by enhancing organization, inclusive decision-making, creating livelihood opportunities, and promoting community-led conservation. Policymakers should strengthen stakeholder coordination, develop equitable resource distribution, and address systemic challenges to improve effectiveness. These insights are valuable for local governments and tourism leaders aiming for sustainable tourism and community empowerment. Abstract only

2025-05-01T00:00:00Z Galagar, Monifel S. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/3357 2025-05-07T07:00:47Z 2024-02-01T00:00:00Z

An exploratory case study of sustainable tourism environment for a nature-oriented: Inputs to the development of a travel brochure Galagar, Monifel S. Sustainable tourism has become an increasingly important concept in the hospitality industry in recent years. The main purpose of this study is to explore the sustainable tourism environment for nature-oriented market as inputs to the development of a travel brochure. This study uses an exploratory case study that is a qualitative approach that focuses on a particular phenomenon and explores the underlying issues and complexities surrounding it. The informants of this study were the five groups of informants from each tourist destination comprising of two tourists, one resort owner, one stakeholder, one resident and one potential investor. Results showed that the there were three major themes such as A greener sustainable environment, implementation of sustainable practices and initiatives and sustainable tourism community having four sub-themes each. Tourists and residents must have knowledge on green practices and services that minimize adverse impacts on the environment. Abstract only

2024-02-01T00:00:00Z Abioda, Kervin Marc D. https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12852/3199 2025-04-05T09:00:27Z 2023-12-01T00:00:00Z

Stakeholders' assessment of carrying capacity and sustainability of Islas De Gigantes as a tourist destination: Inputs to a strategic development plan Abioda, Kervin Marc D. This study aimed to determine the carrying capacity and sustainability of Islas de Gigantes as a tourist destination as assessed among the stakeholders and as inputs to a strategic tourism development plan. The study will be conducted in October 2022. This survey-correlational research involved 225 stakeholders of Islas de Gigantes as stakeholders of the study. Using the sectoral representation, as guide, the simple random sampling technique was used in the selection of the stakeholders of the study. Two (2) researcher-made data-gathering instruments was used to gather data needed for the investigation— the Carrying Capacity of Islas de Gigantes as a Tourist Destination Assessment Scale and the Sustainability of Islas de Gigantes as a Tourist Destination Assessment Scale. Obtained data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentage analyses, means, and standard deviations, the t-test for independent samples, the One-way ANOVA, and the Pearson's r. The .05 alpha level was used as the criterion for the acceptance or rejection of the null hypotheses. Study results revealed that, generally, the stakeholders are males, younger, single, and high school graduates. Most are local tourists, government employees, have lower incomes, and represent a non-government organization. Most establishments had average monthly revenue of P 100,000 or less, have 10 or more employees, and have without logistic support, transport provided and LGU support. The stakeholders assessed the carrying capacity of Islas de Gigantes as a tourist destination in terms of physical or ecological carrying capacity, economic carrying capacity, and social carrying capacity, above the desired carrying capacity and the sustainability of Islas de Gigantes as a tourist destination in terms of optimal use of environmental resources, socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, viable long-term economic operations, with extreme sustainability. The stakeholders differed significantly in their assessment of the carrying capacity of Islas de Gigantes as a tourist destination in terms of social carrying capacity when they were classified according to their personal characteristics in terms of civil status, educational background, and sector represented; in their assessment of the carrying capacity of Islas de Gigantes as a tourist destination in terms of economic carrying capacity when they were classified according to island characteristics in terms of average monthly revenue, manpower resources, transport availability, and LGU support; and in their assessment of the carrying capacity of Islas de Gigantes as a tourist destination in terms of physical or ecological carrying capacity when they were classified according to island characteristics in terms of LGU support. They differed significantly in their assessment of sustainability of Islas de Gigantes as a tourist destination in terms of socio-cultural authenticity of host communities and viable long-term economic operations when they were classified according to their characteristics in terms of civil status, educational background and sector represented; in their assessment of the sustainability of Islas de Gigantes as a tourist destination in terms of optimal use of environmental resources when they were classified according to the island characteristics in terms of average monthly revenue, manpower resources, transport availability, and LGU support; and in their assessment of sustainability of Islas de Gigantes as a tourist destination in terms of socio-cultural authenticity of host communities when they were classified according to the island characteristics in terms of manpower resources. Finally, positive and significant relationships existed among stakeholders’ assessment of the carrying capacity of Islas de Gigantes as a tourist destination in terms of physical or ecological carrying capacity, economic carrying capacity, and social carrying capacity and the sustainability of Islas de Gigantes as a tourist destination in terms of optimal use of environmental resources, socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, viable long-term economic operations. A Strategic Development Plan for Islas de Gigantes was prepared by the researcher as an offshoot of the study. Abstract only

2023-12-01T00:00:00Z