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SITE EVALUATION
According to Sugaya (as cited in Department of Tourism, 2017), evaluation is “the act of conducting on-site
investigation of criteria items using appropriate methodologies such as direct observation, mapping, oral
interviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions, and workshops.” The evaluation of a potential tourism
site determines its readiness for tourism. The process may be conducted by a diverse team of people with
different expertise. The output must be a ranking of the listed sites for tourism development.

Steps in Conducting Site Evaluation

There are three (3) steps in conducting a site evaluation as instructed by the Department of Tourism (DOT)
Guidebook for Local Government Units:
1. Using a site evaluation sheet identifies which criteria and characteristics the tourism sites currently
possess. The guidebook uses seven (7) criteria, and under these criteria are characteristics that should
serve as indicators of a site’s potential to be developed for tourism:
• Uniqueness and natural beauty
o Unique attraction (natural/man-made/cultural)
o Beauty (how it appeals to physical senses)
o Natural/Undisturbed
o Recognized by DOT as a tourist attraction
• Historical/Cultural value
o Built heritage (existing for 50 years and above)
o Festivals
o Culinary experience
o Museum
• Accessibility
o Accessible all year (include specifications of used vehicle types)
o Availability of regular/commercial transport service
o Distance from service center (maximum acceptable travel time is two [2] hours)
o Distance from town center (maximum acceptable travel time is 30 minutes)
• Availability of basic utilities
o Clean water supply
o Sufficient water supply
o Communications (internet, phone, etc.)
o Drainage/Sewerage system
o Solid waste management system
• Availability of on-site facilities
o Clean and safe restroom for men and women
o Good accommodation facilities
o Clean and quality food service
o Other activity facilities (picnic huts, pools, sports and recreation, etc.)
o Directional and informational signages
• Property ownership
o Local government owned
o Privately owned/managed/leased
o Under Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program or CARP (or CARPable)
o Ancestral domain/land claimants
• Quality of surroundings (surroundings refer to areas within five [5] kilometers from the site)
o Landfill/dumpsite

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o Mining Site
o Informal settlements
o Beautiful vista/view
o Presence of support services (such as emergency response team, fire prevention, etc.)
The criteria and characteristics mentioned in this tool serve as a guide on what to assess in site evaluation.
These can be modified to a more specific and detailed description of the site’s characteristics. Sites possessing
the given characteristics to the highest degree will be given a score of five (5), while sites possessing the least
to none of the characteristics are given a value of one (1).
Below is an example of a worksheet used in this step where Chocolate Hills in Bohol is the chosen site.

Table 1. Sample Site Evaluation Worksheet

Source: Tourism Guidebook for Local Government Units (Revised Edition), 2017. p. 6

2. After sites are evaluated and scored according to characteristics, the next step is to prioritize sites
according to their criteria. Each site will be listed in a table with their accumulated scores for each
characteristic. The scores will be added to come up with the total that will serve as the site’s overall
score for each of the seven (7) criteria. Table 2 shows an example of how this process can be done.

Table 2. Sample Site Prioritization Scores per Criteria Worksheet

Source: Tourism Guidebook for Local Government Units (Revised Edition), 2017. p. 7

3. After scoring the sites according to criteria, a ranked list of sites for development/improvement shall
be accomplished. The ranking of sites may vary depending on the type of tourism development
planned. Tables 3 and 4 show the example of how attractions are listed and ranked. The site
prioritization evaluation summary and site prioritization ranking are useful tools for this step.

Table 3. Sample Site Prioritization Evaluation Summary

Source: Tourism Guidebook for Local Government Units (Revised Edition), 2017. p. 8

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Table 4. Sample Site Prioritization Ranking

Source: Tourism Guidebook for Local Government Units (Revised Edition), 2017. p. 8

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
The basis of this process is the listed inventory of tourism resources from the tourism industry profiling. This
activity identifies the issues and problems that affect the tourism industry of a region. Table 5 shows the
output of this process using Pamilacan Island in Bohol as an example.

Table 5. Sample Problem Identification Table

Source: Tourism Guidebook for Local Government Units (Revised Edition), 2017. p. 9

PROBLEM ANALYSIS
Problem analysis (PA) breaks down problems into smaller pieces for better understanding. This step identifies
the causes and effects of problems and situations. The results of this step are used for establishing specific
goals, objectives, and necessary steps to address and solve all identified problems and issues. Refer to Table 6
for the steps in problem analysis:

Step 1 Define the problems from the perspective of tourism development. Ask the question, “What
negative things do you notice?” Problems should be expressed as negative conditions.

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Step 2 Collect valuable data and information about the problems. Use the following guide questions to
identify what kind of information to look out for about the problem:
• What proof do you have that the problem exists?
• How long has the problem existed?
• What impact does the problem bring?
Step 3 Identify causes of the problem (as many as possible) until you get to the root using the guide
question, “What causes the problem?”
Step 4 Identify the effects of the problem.
Step 5 Establish the cause and effect relationship from each identified problem.
Step 6 Review and verify the cause and effect relationship using a problem tree analysis (see Figure 1).
Table 6. Steps in Problem Analysis
Source: Tourism Guidebook for Local Government Units (Revised Edition), 2017, p. 10.
Problem Tree Analysis
The problem tree analysis is a diagram used for establishing the cause and effect relationship between the
observed negative factors affecting tourism. It can be used as a visual illustration of the problem that can be
easily understood by anyone. Using the tree as an illustration, the diagram contains three (3) parts:
• Roots – represent the primary causes of the core problem
• Trunk – represents the core problem
• Branches – represent the effects of the core problem.
This process must begin with the establishment of a core or starter problem, followed by establishing a
hierarchy of problems that causes the core problem. With this diagram, the problems can be broken down
into chunks and can be connected to find the key links that lead to the core problem.

Effect
Decrease in Tourist Arrivals

Destruction of primary

Problem
tourism resource (coral reefs)

Careless
boating, Destructive Poor fishing
Algal boom
snorkeling, and fishing practices
diving
Cause

Pollution from liquid Pollution from solid

waste waste

Figure 1. Problem Tree Analysis for Destruction of Primary Tourism Resource

Source: Tourism Guidebook for Local Government Units (Revised Edition), 2017. p. 10
References:
Dillon, L. B. (2019). Problem Tree Analysis. Retrieved from https://sswm.info/taxonomy/term/2647/problem-tree-analysis on November 21, 2019
Tourism Guidebook for Local Government Units. (2017). Retrieved from Department of Tourism website: http://www.tourism.gov.ph/guidebookandmanual.aspx on
November 15, 2019

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