CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

For more than 50 years, the tourist literature has extensively examined the long-term

durability of destination resources (Stronza, 2010). Tourism is frequently held responsible for

having detrimental societal, ecological, and economic effects. Sustainable tourism has been

viewed as a magic bullet for preventing the sad depletion of tourism resources due to the

broad adoption of the sustainable development paradigm (United Nations World Tourism

Organization (UNWTO, 2005). Many academics have looked for empirical proof to back up

the idea that sustainable tourism can result in positive consequences (Hassanali, 2013). As a

result, assessing the results of tourism in relation to sustainability principles has been a

persistent research area.

The tourism industry is a dynamic, complex system that may be understood from both

structural and functional angles. The tourist's starting point, destination, and transit space

make up the three main spatial loci of tourism from a structural perspective (Leiper, 1979).

Infrastructure, rules, groups, and activities are also included in the framework. From a

functional standpoint, the movement of people, goods, and information through time and

space causes the tourism system to be dynamic.

The tourism system produces services to satisfy the needs of travelers. It also has a

direct relationship and crossover with ecological, sociocultural, political, and economic

systems. The systems approach to sustainability entered tourism discourse after the adoption

of the sustainable development paradigm. Tourism systems are living social–ecological

organisms that are nested within each other and embedded in higher human– environment

systems (Becken, 2013). There are horizontal and vertical linkages among the various
structures, and many of the observable interactions and outcomes among these systems are

stochastic (Baggio, 2013).

It is inevitable for ecological, and economic systems to evolve, and this change may

follow a linear or nonlinear course (Hamzah & Hampton, 2022). Researchers in the field of

tourism are working to create diagnostic tools that can accurately depict the complexity and

dynamic of these systems (Becken, 2013; Hamzah & Hampton, 2022). To further emphasize

the interconnectedness of social and environmental issues, a methodical approach is

necessary to sort through the complexity (Ruiz-Ballesteros, 2011).

Rationale

The complexity and dynamism that are inherent in tourist systems have not been

sufficiently captured by previous empirical methodologies to assess sustainability in tourism,

which have often utilized a piecemeal approach. If the systems thinking approach is

disregarded, future research and practice advancements in sustainable tourism would be

greatly limited (Stone & Nyaupane, 2017). To comprehend the complexity of tourism by

looking at the whole rather than just the pieces, systems thinking is required.

The article's goal is to dissect the intricate tourism system so that its crucial parts may

be recognized and assessed using the framework. The study used a descriptive analysis of

well-known tourist destinations in Nueva Ecija to examine the structures, procedures, and

effects of tourism.

These locations have been marketed as vacation spots for associated ideas of

ecotourism, alternative tourism, responsible tourism, nature-based tourism, and cultural

tourism, where the responsible stewardship of natural and cultural resources is crucial.

Although there are some similarities, they differ greatly in terms of geography, biodiversity,
governance, community culture, and characteristics, which offers a wide variety of economic

and ecological elements that enable an examination of tourist destinations.

Literature Review

Sustainable Tourism: Ecological and Economic

The paradigm of sustainable development, which calls for the attentive and careful

use of resources for both now and tomorrow, is seen as naturally resulting in the concept of

sustainable tourism (Neri, 2021). "Tourism that fully accounts for its current and future

economic, social, and environmental implications, fulfilling the requirements of visitors, the

industry, the environment, and host communities" is the definition given for sustainable

tourism. About 50 years ago, when it became clear that so-called mass tourism had a

detrimental effect on the ecological, sociocultural, and economic contexts of travel

destinations, the conversation about responsible tourism began (World Regional Geography:

Human Mobilities, Tourism Destinations, 2022).

According to academics, uncontrolled and rapid tourism expansion causes numerous

ecological and societal issues. Damage to vegetation, deforestation, a decline in the

population of wildlife, soil erosion, and deterioration of the built environment are only a few

of the negative effects of tourism on the natural or physical environment. The most obvious

sociocultural effects of tourism are crime, migration, social marginalization, acculturation,

begging, damage to cultural monuments, vandalism, and trespassing (Fennell, 2008; Poudel

& Nyaupane, 2013). The idea of sustainable tourism is a result of growing worries about the

negative effects of tourism and the understanding that a healthy tourism business depends on

the efficient use of resources in tourism systems.

Even if poorly planned tourism could have disastrous repercussions, it can

nevertheless make a significant contribution to sustainable growth. As a result, sustainable

tourism has been lauded as a cure-all for all the evils of mass tourism, as Fennell (2008)

pointed out. Sustainable tourism is not a specific type of travel; rather, it is the ideal state or

outcome of meticulous preparation and ethical behavior. All types of tourism, including

traditional mass tourism, ecotourism, and adventure tourism, are advised to work toward

sustainability, according to UNEP and UNWTO (2005). There is a lot of variances in

sustainability methods, and many academics doubt that the tourism industry can contribute to

sustainable development. The disparities between academics and tourist professionals over

what should be produced, sustained, and for how long have heightened this skepticism

(Butler, 1999).

Furthermore, several academics have criticized the idea that progress towards

sustainable tourism is essentially static or perhaps going backwards (see, for example,

Bramwell & Lane, 2016). Others are harsher in their criticism of strategies for developing

sustainable tourism. According to Sharpley (2009), the traditional blueprint approach to

developing sustainable tourism that is based on environmental managerialism that is

Western-centric is a flawed paradigm. A holistic and systems perspective is necessary to

comprehend tourism at a destination, according to Farrell and Twining-Ward (2004), because

sustainability depends not just on a few components of a destination but also on the entire

comprehensive tourist system.

The traditional features of tourism, such as the economic, social, cultural, and

ecological aspects, have received a lot of attention in the literature on sustainable travel; as a

result, this chapter only briefly discusses them. First off, since tourism is an economic

activity, it goes without saying that sustainable tourism must be commercially viable. In this

sense, economic sustainability entails fully considering the constraints of the target

environment while maximizing the development growth rate at a tolerable level.

Furthermore, the community should receive a fair share of the economic gains from tourism.
Second, ecological sustainability acknowledges that the world's natural resources should no

longer be seen as abundant because they are constantly being depleted. Because of its

inherent importance and as a resource for both current and future generations, the natural

environment needs to be preserved.

Tourist Types

Based on the previously discussed PCA and cluster analysis techniques, Cottrell

(2004) conducted a study that uses five tourist-type modes. Overall, the mode of Change:

escaping to nature represented 25% of the sample, followed by Dedication: authentic/cultural

(25%), Interest: seeking information (18%), Amusement: seeking fun (16%), and Rapture:

actively participating in nature (13%). (Table 5). The Change: a nature getaway Tourists

usually look for places to escape the hustle and bustle of city life during nature. They visit for

several reasons, including the inspiration that nature provides. They would rather spend hours

by themselves in the wilderness viewing the flora and fauna before going to the visitor center.

The Dedication: Cultural/authentic tourists look for the genuine in other civilizations. They

are drawn to new places for self-identification reasons; the surroundings, getting to know the

locals, and experiencing their customs are all essential to the experience. The Interest: While

on vacation, information-seeking tourists are interested in learning a lot about their

destination. From guides, pamphlets, and information boards, they gather a lot of data on the

environment, culture, and attractions. The top attractions in the region are the sea, sand, and

sun, followed by nature. They go to tourist destinations even though they dislike congested

environments in nature. The Amusement: fun-seeking individuals prefer cozy, crowded areas

with lots of people and go for tourist towns and cities. A vacation is a time for rejuvenation

and change. They primarily travel for the sun, sand, and sea; nature and culture are of the

utmost importance to them. The Rapture: Those that actively participate in nature can spend
hours outdoors motorcycling and hiking and taking in the scenery and wildlife. They go for

calm areas in the outdoors, but they don't find their rest and relaxation there.

Conceptual Framework

Input Process Output

1. Profile of the
Thorough examination
Determining the impact
Respondents
of the input variables
2. Type of Tourist in the
of Tourism
ecology
3. Tourist effectsand
in economic
Employing a survey
sustainability
thequestionnaire
perceptions of of Nueva
to collect
thethe Ecija. Come
dimensions of up with
data required for the
conclusions
sustainability and
study.
recommendation to
assess the study.

Feedback

Figure 1: Operational Paradigm of the Study

Statement of the Problem

1. How the respondents describe in the following:

a. Occupation
b. Sex
c. Age
2. What type of tourist were searching in Nueva Ecija?

3. What are the tourist effects in the perceptions of the dimensions of sustainability in Nueva
Ecija?

a. Ecological
b. Economic

Definition of Keywords
Sustainability- Sustainability consists of fulfilling the needs of current generations without

compromising the needs of future generations, while ensuring a balance between economic

growth, environmental care, and social well-being.

Economic- Economics is the study of scarcity and its implications for the use of resources,

production of goods and services, growth of production and welfare over time, and a great

variety of other complex issues of vital concern to society.

Ecological- Ecological living is about protecting and preserving the environment of planet

Earth, through recognizing the uniqueness of its various eco-systems and species. Every

individual habitat supports all manner of life.

Tourism- Tourism is a social, cultural, and economic phenomenon which entails the

movement of people to countries or places outside their usual environment for personal or

business/professional purposes.

Significance of the Study

The report identifies several gaps in theories and empirical research on sustainability

in business organizations and suggests a quantitative research strategy and methodology for

an empirical study on the Nueva Ecija tourism industry. The proposed study anticipates

finding and theorizing on new relationships. This could fill in known study gaps and add to

the body of knowledge. The results of the suggested study could be helpful for future

research projects on green business modeling for the sustainability in terms of the economic

and ecological double bottom lines.

Academe- They would be able tp published and address the issue of how tourism affects the

sustainability of Nueva Ecija.

Business Owners- They would know the problem in their tourism business and further

address the issue.

Tourism Officer- They will come up a solution to the raised issue in sustainability in Nueva

Ecija.

Department of Tourism- They will address the issue into higher order to promote

sustainability in tourism industry.

Researcher- Will Come up a recommendation that would help promote the goal and purpose

of the study.

Future Researcher- This will add up to the existing knowledge and help future researchers

that seek for the study.

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