Ethnic Tourism: Preserving Butbut Tribe Identity While Maximizing

Economic Opportunity for Buscalan, Kalinga

A Research Proposal
Presented to the Faculty of the
Hospitality Management/Culinary Management/Tourism Management Program
STI College Cubao

In Partial Fulfilment
of the Requirements of the Degree
Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management

Fritz Adeline L. Bona

Jinky Q. De Guzman
Krystalline N. Dugang
Joyce Ann C. Esmerio

October 05, 2021

 RESEARCH PROPOSAL APPROVAL SHEET

This research proposal entitled: Ethnic Tourism: Preserving Butbut Tribe

Identity While Maximizing Economic Opportunity for Buscalan, Kalinga
prepared and submitted by Fritz Adeline L. Bona; Jinky Q. De Guzman ;
Krystalline N. Dugang ; and Joyce Ann Esmerio, in partial fulfillment of the
Bachelor of Science degree in Tourism Management, has been examined and is
recommended for acceptance and approval.

Maureen L. Quizon
Research Adviser

<Research Coordinator's Given Name MI. Family Name>

Research Coordinator

<Program Head's Given Name MI. Family Name>

Program Head

October 05, 2021

FT-CRD-114-00| STI College <School Name> ii

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Title Page i
Approval Sheet ii
Table of Contents iii
CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1
Background of the Study
Research Questions
Significance of the Study
Scope and Limitations
CHAPTER II: Review of Related Literature
References

FT-CRD-114-00| STI College <School Name> iii

 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

The Philippine is one of the major arising tourism markets of the world and the
ASEAN region. The country’s tourism has been expanding continuously over the past
years, the tourism industry increased its contribution to the country’s economy to almost
13 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) last 2019. In 2019, the Philippine
Statistic Authority (PSA) reported that tourism’s distribution to the country’s GDP grew
from 12.3 percent in 2018 to 12.7 percent in 2019. Ethnic tourism has emerge as the
country’s tourism continuously grow and develop. The country has 6,641 islands and 175
ethnolinguistic groups, emerse with rich culture and traditions, making it possible for our
tourism industry to develop ethnic tourism.

Ethnic tourism has emerged in many countries to facilitate economic and cultural
development, as well as to assist in the preservation of ethnic heritage. However,
although ethnic tourism facilitate economic growth and cultural development, it
significantly impact ethnic identity, cultures and way of life (Yang and Wall, 2012). In
some studies, it is indicated that cultural and ethnic identities are transformed into
commodities, resulting in the destruction of cultural identities of ethnic groups. (Yang
and Wall, 2012).

Our research focuses on the identity of locals in Butbut Kalinga as it relates to ethnic
tourism, as well as the economic opportunities of Buscalan, Kalinga in the tourism
industry. Local communities and residents gain a sense of identity from their local
culture. This identity promotes common understanding, traditions, and values, which are
all necessary for developing action plans to improve well-being.

Culture contributes to the development of a sense of local identity and solidarity. It has an
impact on the confidence that rural communities have in coming together to address
needs and problems. Regardless of economic conditions, local engagement among
residents can be a valuable tool in shaping the effectiveness of local development options
and actions. This commitment, based on a shared culture and identity, has the potential to
be an important tool in assisting local governments, development, and social
improvement.

Background of the Study

According to Lah 2014, ethnic tourism refers to a travel that is motivated by the
search for the first-hand, authentic and intimate contact with people whose identity and
culture is different from the tourist. Moreover, ethnic tourism describes as a form of
tourism with the intention to stay within an ethnic community.

In the Philippines, Buscalan in Kalinga, also known as the home of the country's oldest
"Mambabatok" or traditional tattoo artist, Apo Whang Od, has grown in popularity
among both domestic and international tourists. People want to meet Whang Od and have
their tattoos done using the Butbut tribe's unique backhand tap technique, so ethnic
tourism has grown in popularity. Aside from this tradition, they have beautiful scenery,
rice terraces, delectable food, and traditional activities, among other things.

This study aim to examine the emergence of ethnic tourism in the Butbut Tribe
community in Buscalan, Kalinga, as they have been identified as one of the most
successful communities in organizing ethnic tourism and promoting the preservation of
culture and tradition. The study aim to determine the measures Butbut tribe could
undertake in order for them to preserve their cultural identity while maximizing
opportunities. Moreover, this study will be used to promote the culture of the Butbut
Tribe as well as to make people understand that the community has a significant cultural
value that must be preserved. Furthermore, the study will serve as a revitalization of the
local people's pride and interest in their own ethnic traditions and culture. As a result, it is
critical for community development practitioners to recollect the significance of means of
life in efforts to improve native well-being. Greater economic and powerful improvement
efforts will be achieved by paying attention to and incorporating explicit cultural values,
traditions, and associated factors.
Research Questions

This study sought to answer the question below:

1. Demographic Information
1.1 Gender
1.1.1 Male
1.1.2 Female

2. What are the economic opportunities do tourists observed in Buscalan, Kalinga?

1.1. Businesses
1.2. Employment
1.3. Education
1.4. Training Programs

3. What are the measures undertaken during the tourist’s visit to Buscalan Kalinga in
order to prevent them from influencing the culture of the tribe?
3.1 Compliance with the rules and regulation
3.2 Respect for the cultural norm of the community
3.3 Avoidance of exploition of locals through the use of technology

4. What are the observed measures undertaken by Butbut tribe to preserve their
cultural identity while also generating economic opportunities?
4.1 Passing down the culture and tradition to the new generation
4.2 Educating the significance of their cultural identity
4.3 Conducting meeting and discussions

5. What are the observed measure undertaken by the local government unit to ensure
the preservation of the Butbut Tribe Identity?
 5.1 Implementation of strict policies, rules and regulations
5.2 Establishment of guidelines and protocols for tourists
5.3 Dissemination of travel information through brochures, signage, and posters
5.4 Training Programs for Butbut Tribe

Significance of the Study

This study will contribute to the preservation of the Butbut tribe community
while strengthening their economic opportunities. The findings of this study will be used
to create a tourism development plan for Buscalan in Kalinga, as well as to assist the
Butbut tribe in managing the effects of tourism on their community. This study will assist
the Butbut tribe in preserving their cultural identity while also generating economic
growth and development. This study also attempts to find a better way to promote the
culture and way of life of the people of Buscalan, Kalinga. Moreover, the goal is to
expand its economic opportunities so that they can generate income and build careers
without jeopardizing their values and way of life.

This study could help the local government unit understand how to properly implement
local laws and regulations, as well as policies, in the aftermath of a massive strike on
tourism demand in Buscalan, Kalinga. It may also be useful to them because it highlights
the need for funds to be allocated for sustainability development projects. Furthermore,
this study could be used as a future reference for a similar study.

The objective of the study are:

1. To identify economic opportunities that could aid the growth of ethnic

tourism in Buscalan, Kalinga.
 2. To strengthen the economic opportunities of Butbut tribe while preservating
their cultural identity.

3. To establish the measures to be taken to preserve the Butbut tribe's identity

while developing ethnic tourism in Buscalan, Kalinga.

4. To educate the tourism market towards respecting the culture and traditions of
the Butbut tribe in Buscalan, Kalinga.

Scope and Limitations

This study focused on the arising ethnic tourism of Butbut Tribe in Buscalan,
Kalinga and the preservation of their cultural identity while increasing the economic
opportunity. The study will be conducted during the academic year 2021-2022.

The data collection will be conducted in the social media groups of Butbut, Kalinga
tourists. The researchers will prepare survey questionnaires and distribute them to the
respondents through online platforms. Afterward, the researchers will devise the
assessment procedures for analyzing and evaluating the information gathered. Although
the study achieved its objectives, there are some unavoidable limitations, one of which is
that a significant number of respondents available online may be unavailable or
unwilling to participate due to personal schedules and other factors.

This study limits to the difficulties in understanding some of the questions.

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This section conveys to the reader the knowledge and ideas that have been
established about the research topic from both published and unpublished materials. The
narrower your topic, the easier it will be to limit the number of sources you need to read
to obtain a good survey of relevant resources.

The ethnic commercial enterprise could be a sort of tourism that respects the values of a
community and their natural, cultural and social setting permitting the exchange of
expertise and wherever guests have a very democratic perspective in their travel
experience (Ethnic Tourism: Preserving the Roots Beyond the Show). Ethnic tourism
refers to travel encouraged by the look for the first hand, authentic and typically intimate
contact with individuals whose ethnic and cultural background is totally different from
the tourists. Moreover, ethnic tourism describes a special style of tourism with the
intention to stay with an ethnic group, particularly a politically and economically
marginal, typically tribal group group, Lah (2014).

According to rule and Wall (2014), ethnic tourism has emerge in several countries around
the world, facilitating economic and cultural development, yet as assist in preservation of
ethnic heritage. However, even ethnic tourism facilitate economic and cultural
development, it considerably impact ethnic identity, cultures and way of life (Yang and
Wall, 2012). In some studies, it's indicated that cultural and ethnic identities are reworked
into commodities, leading to the destruction of cultural identities of ethnic groups (Yang
and Wall, 2012). In response to the demand and expectations of the thought tourism
sector, the portrayal of cultural merchandise and experiences typically entails staging and
exploitation “theatrical” effects for cultural presentation. once used too to accommodate
the aggressive ethnic tourism staged cultural presentation results in enlarged
commoditization of native cultures and destroyed authenticity. This has both negative
effects, each on host communities who lose the that means of their cultural providing and
on tourists who, nowadays, place high worth on authentic experiences (Richland, 2013).

There are growing concern in several places regarding the way to balance the
employment of ethnicity as a tourist attraction with the protection of minority cultures
and promotion of ethnic pride, according to Yang and Wall (2012).

Ethnicity is intently related to shared ancestry or origin and traditions, that are diagnosed
each with the help of mistreatment insiders and outsiders as being essential attributes of a
specific cultural group. However, ethnicity isn't always an absolute, static idea, dynamic
and changeable relying upon distinctive social settings and therefore the views of
assorted individuals. Furthermore, ethnicity has been an increasing variety of followed as
a technique to match a specific situation, which has the utilization of ethnicity to sell
tourism development. Ethnicity has been involve to sell tourism development whereby
there are democratic construction of ethnic teams in giving lodging services, food,
specialized guides and ethnic practices, whose essential characteristics are a part of the
cultural identity. The indigenous community provide guests the opportunity to share their
tradition and customes with the aim of an integral and sustainable community
development (Ethnic Tourism: Preserving the Roots Beyond the Show, 2018)
 REFERENCES

Ehnic Tourism: Preserving the Roots Beyond the Show, Retrieved from
https://interfacetourism.es/it/client-item/national-tourism-administration-of-georgia/

Yang, L., Wall, G. (2014). Planning for Ethnic Tourism, Ashgate Publishing, Retrieved
from https://books.google.com.ph/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=rdYGDAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1&dq=ethnic
%20tourism&ots=c503OLty9P&sig=BoJKZhxebDdjNt1YHI9e-
WcAMQI&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=ethnic%20tourism&f=false

Richland, J (2013). Tribal Culture and Economic Growth, Retrieved from

https://www.perc.org/2013/12/04/tribal-culture-and-economic-growth/

Lah, S. (2014). Ethnic Tourism: A Case Study of Language and Culture Preservation of
the Bateq Indigenous Group of Orang Asli in Peninsular, Retrieved November 19, 2014,
from SHS Web of Conferences https://www.shs-
conferences.org/articles/shsconf/abs/2014/09/shsconf_4ictr2014_01071/shsconf_4ictr201
4_01071.html

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