Assessment of challenges towards tourism development in the Municipality of Concepcion, Iloilo

Abstract

Malangabang Island, Concepcion, Iloilo, is one of the promising areas for tourism development. Yet, this potential remains constrained by critical infrastructure deficiencies, particularly in electricity and water supply. This study aimed to assess the extent of these challenges for tourism development on the island. This approach utilized a quantitative descriptive design in which the tool used was researcher-designed and comprised two components, namely the Personal Data Sheet, which collected respondents' demographic information in terms of sex, age, occupation, income, and length of residence, and the Questionnaire Proper, which explored the critical barriers to tourism growth. There were 320 respondents, primarily composed of fishermen, boat operators, government officials, educators, and business owners. Data were analyzed with SPSS software through frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations in order to increase accuracy and dependability. Findings revealed that most of the respondents have a clear understanding of infrastructure issues, and specifically, poor infrastructure was cited as the leading factor impeding economic growth and sustainable tourism development. The said issue was found to be significant across all age groups and income levels. The study concludes that the unlocking of the island's tourism potential requires addressing these infrastructure gaps. It calls for urgent, coordinated action among government agencies, local businesses, and community stakeholders to implement inclusive and sustainable solutions. Without such interventions, the island risks long-term economic stagnation and ecological degradation. This research, therefore, emphasizes the need for strategic development policies that can balance tourism growth with environmental and social sustainability to create a bright future for Malangabang Island and its residents.