CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Philippine Tourism: Evolution towards Sustainability, Pilapil-Añasco and Lizada, 2014

Through the years, since post World War II, there have been numerous initiatives undertaken by
government agencies, non-government organizations, and private sectors to improve and sustain the
tourism industry in the Philippines. This industry contributes significantly to the economic growth of the
country and somehow improved the lives of many Filipinos (TIP, Nd). Hence, the Philippine government
at various levels has considered tourism as one of its top development priorities to ensure its
sustainability. To determine whether the Philippine tourism industry is moving towards sustainable
development, this study traced the evolution of the tourism industry in the Philippines. The eras
identified were based on the country’s major political regimes. Corresponding events and numerous
initiatives that significantly affected the tourism industry were described and analyzed. The legal bases
and policies/initiatives of the government were likewise ascertained. The typology of the tourism
development in the country was also elucidated. Four major periods have been recognized, namely: 1]
pre-martial law era (years before 1972); 2] martial law era (1972-1986); 3] post-martial law era (1986-
2000); and 4] 21st century era (2001-present). The eras are based on the country’s major political
regimes. Corresponding events and numerous initiatives undertaken by the government agencies, non-
government organizations and private sectors that significantly affect the tourism industry are described
and analyzed.

Figure 1. Historical Transformation, Foreign Visitor Arrivals in the Philippines, the Initiatives and Events
that Affected the Tourism Industry and the Gross National Product, 1960-2013.
 (Source: DOT, National Statistics Coordination Board, World Bank)

Figure 2. Evolution of Tourism in the Philippines.

It is concluded that tourism is a well-established industry in the Philippines that contributes to an

inclusive economic growth of the country. The continued concerted efforts of all the stakeholders of the
industry in the implementation of all these initiatives will surely lead to a sustainable Philippine tourism.
Foreign tourist arrivals in the Philippines are generally increasing. However, there are instances when
decrease in arrivals took place due to many reasons such as the economic crises, and the peace and
order situation of the country. Moreover, the tourism industry continues to be a major contributor to
the growth of the Philippine economy. If developed in a sustainable manner, indeed Philippine tourism
can be a powerful economic growth equity engine for the country. The existence of the NTDP 2011-2016
provides a roadmap for addressing the Philippine constraints to ensure the sustainable development of
the tourism sector and is helpful to deliver sustained and widely spread socio economic development
and growth. Moreover, the policy initiatives of the government to ensure the success of tourism and
ecotourism in the country which promotes protection of the environment and preserving the indigenous
cultural heritage, the most important assets of Philippine tourism, gives an optimistic view that the
tourism industry will indeed propel economic growth in both national and local levels. It is therefore
concluded that the Philippine tourism industry is sustainable depending on the proper implementation
of policies and the initiatives the government, and the capability and positive attitude of all stakeholders
of this industry. Thus, a sustained integrated development considering economic, political, institutional,
social, legal and environmental aspects should be ensured towards the attainment of sustainable
tourism in the Philippines. It is recommended that domestic tourism movement in the country should
also be studied as it is recognized that this type of tourists is now one of the key drivers of economic
growth of the country.

Towards Sustainable Tourism Development in the Philippines and Other Asean Countries: An
Examination of Programs and Practices of National Tourism Organizations, Reil G. Cruz, 2014

This paper discusses the concept of sustainable tourism development and how the principles of
sustainable tourism are operationalized through the activities, programs or projects of the national
tourism organizations (NTOs) of the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Subsequently, the
author identifies the approaches and best practices of the NTOs and gaps in the implementation of
sustainable tourism development. This study is based on desk research of printed literature and
research materials that are available online. An ocular visit to tourist sites in Malaysia, Thailand and
Singapore was done to augment the scant material on sustainable tourism development in these
countries. Interviews of key experts in the countries were also carried out using a semi-structured
questionnaire. The level of analysis was limited to that of the national tourism organizations in order to
provide focus for the discussion. The study covered only the NTOs of the Philippines, Malaysia,
Singapore and Thailand, which may not be an accurate representation of the Asean region. Due to
financial constraints, only a single visit to a few sites in Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand was
made. Unforeseen official protocol in Malaysia also prevented the research assistant in obtaining more
information about sustainable tourism practices in that country.
National tourism organizations (NTOs) play a central role in tourism development in the ASEAN
(Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region. Such active intervention has been widely credited for
the rapid development of the tourism industries in the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
Over the last forty years, the growth of tourist arrivals and tourist receipts in these countries (with the
exception of the Philippines) were among the highest in the world. By 2000, the four countries
generated a total of nearly US$21 billion in receipts from 32 million arrivals (various sources).

However, poorly planned mass tourism in these countries has also led to environmental and
cultural degradation. Thailand and the Philippines came to be known as sex capitals. The spread of AIDS,
particularly in Thailand, has also been abetted by tourism. Local residents have complained of loss of
access to beaches and dislocation from areas of economic activity. The once pristine beaches of Boracay
and Phuket now suffer from congestion, pollution and beach erosion. Singapore has lost much of its
Asian identity as high-rise hotels, giant malls and a futuristic airport were constructed to handle the
influx of millions of tourists. As a major force in the world economy with tremendous impacts on the
environment and culture, it came as no surprise that the tourism sector became a target for reform in its
approach to development. The new paradigm has come to be known as sustainable development.

Framework for ecotourism development

The 1991 Philippine Tourism Master Plan made mention of “niche markets” and “special
interest tourism” whose definitions are similar to ecotourism. NGOs, local government units, and local
communities have been undertaking their own versions of ecotourism even before the Government
stepped in in order to establish a framework for its development. To chart its future development,
former Pres. Estrada issued Executive Order 111 in 1999, creating the National Ecotourism Development
Council (NEDC), which is composed of Cabinet secretaries, and representatives of NGOs. Chaired by the
Secretary of Tourism, the NEDC, is the policy making body for ecotourism. The implementing arm is
called the National Ecotourism Steering Committee (NESC) and Regional Ecotourism Committees (REC).
The first national workshop to formulate a national ecotourism framework was held in 1999. The
outputs from that workshop were later validated in the National Ecotourism Congress in 1999. In April
2002 the Philippines' National Ecotourism Strategy (NES) was presented to various tourism sectors. The
NES identifies the strategic framework, institutional mechanisms, ecotourism programs, ecotourism
network (of potential and actual sites) and action plans. The NES was crafted with technical assistance
from the government of New Zealand.
Case studies in sustainable tourism development
Mt. Pinatubo Livelihood from Tourism Project. The DOT Regional Office initiated this project by
assisting a community in Tarlac province establish a cooperative that will sell guided tours to Mt.
Pinatubo's crater lake. The DOT helped the local community enhance its local capability by conducting
training programs on tour guiding and hosting for the homestay program. Other aspects of sustainability
include the creation of livelihood for the cultural community of the Aetas, who serve as guides and
porters. Tourists pay user fees, which are used for conservation of the trekking route and maintenance
of public toilets. The project has generated enough money to fund the construction of a multi-purpose
hall for the local residents.
Butanding Interaction Tours. The Donsol River is a rich source of micronutrients for the whale shark
(butanding in local dialect), causing them to congregate around Donsol's waters for a few months during
the year. Previously caught for their flesh, the butanding were saved from certain extinction through the
intervention of the local government units, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), and the DOT. The
municipality of Donsol and the provincial government of Sorsogon, passed ordinances that banned the
hunting of the giant fish. The WWF provided training for the BIO (Butanding Interaction Officers) and
encourage research-based interactions with the whalesharks. (The BIO is a guide, whale -shark spotter
and first-aider in one.) The DOT helped by providing training in the homestay program. Tourism now
provides an alternative livelihood to local homestay providers, BIOs, boat operators, and other service
providers.
Monte Plantation in Bukidnon. It also prescribes sustainable practices, such as social acceptability of
the project (the operation of the farm for this purpose will depend on the willingness of the farmer to
accept visitors), adherence to sustainable techniques, and monitoring. Sustainability will be further
promoted by having a regulatory mechanism. This include the formulation of guidelines for registration
and incentives, and its inclusion into the 2000 Investment Priorities Plan, which will be done with the
help of the Board of Investments (BOI).
Tourism awards
Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines have instituted tourism industry awards, which are cooperative
projects of government and the tourism industry. The Philippine version called Kalakbay Award
recognizes the best hotels, resorts, travel agencies, tour operators, tourism frontline workers, local
tourism councils and ecotourism products. Environmental practices form part of the criteria for selection
of best hotels and resorts, but the weights assigned to them are quite low. The award is given every two
years.
Accreditation schemes
Hotel and resort codes. To promote quality in tourism facilities, the Philippine Department of Tourism
maintains an accreditation scheme for hotels and resorts. Hotels are classified as de-luxe, first class,
standard and economy while resorts, are classified from AAA, AA to A, based on criteria that may be
found in separate Hotel and Resort codes published by the DOT. Accreditation are based purely on the
quality of facilities and services and do not contain any environmental requirement. This is only
voluntary on the part of tourism establishment.
Conclusions and recommendations
Based on the foregoing discussion, the following conclusions can be made. The NTOs of the Philippines,
Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand have incorporated sustainable tourism principles into their tourism
master plans. While there has been significant progress in the adoption of sustainable tourism paradigm
at the national levels, the diffusion of such philosophy to the local level has been quite slow. There is the
tendency to interchange the related concepts of ecotourism, community-based tourism and sustainable
tourism. The operationalization of sustainable tourism principles has also been very sluggish. The
scarcity of case materials on best practices and the lackluster participation in voluntary initiatives attest
to the uneasy transition to sustainability. In order to accelerate sustainable tourism development, it is
suggested that NTOs. Advocate the equal application of sustainable development principles on mass
tourism and ecotourism, and other "niche" products. Form national and local steering committees on
sustainable tourism development. Compile and document laws, guidelines, and best practices on
sustainable tourism for dissemination and easy reference. Institutionalize local community participation
in the decision-making process, from conceptualization to implementation and control. Connect tourism
projects to poverty alleviation measures, including the formation of cooperatives, microfinancing for
small businesses, and procurement of supplies and personnel from the local community. Integrate
sustainability criteria in accreditation programs and tourism awards, and expand the coverage of awards
to all sectors. Establish a program for the integrated development of human resources · Improve their
research capability in order to provide timely and valid data and information for monitoring. In the
Philippines, the most-often cited problems by tourists are garbage, crime, heavy traffic, lack of
information, and poverty (DOT in Cruz, 2000). Other pressing concerns are the peace and order situation
in many parts of the country, the quality of beaches, the frequent occurrences of natural calamities
which damage industries, including tourism, protection of indigenous peoples’ rights to ancestral
domains, weak institutional mechanisms for sustainable development. Indicators that address these
concerns will therefore be extremely relevant. In this connection, the supplemental indicator shown on
page 35 is being suggested as a way of evaluating the state of tourism development in the country.

EXPLORING TOURISM AS A POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR AN ARTISANAL FISHING

COMMUNITY IN THE PHILIPPINES: THE CASE OF BARANGAY VICTORY IN BOLINAO, PORTER AND
ORAMS, 2014

This article reports on a case study of Barangay Victory, a remote fishing-based community in
the Bolinao region of the Philippines. Twenty-one face-to-face semi structured interviews were
conducted with community members. Methods were grounded within participatory action research and
phenomenological inquiry. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Using a deductive approach, data
sets were manually coded and a thematic analysis was conducted.
One alternative source of income promoted is tourism (E. A. Mensah & Amuquandoh, 2010). It
is argued that tourism is inherently more sustainable than extractive activities such as fishing and that,
in particular, tropical and subtropical island destinations can be attractive tourism destinations (Orams,
2004; Samonted-Tan et al., 2007). Tourism, more specifically community-based tourism, has long been
suggested as an alternative or supplemental livelihood for coastal communities in less developed
nations such as the Philippines (E.A. Mensah & Amuquandoh, 2010; Samonted-Tan et al., 2007).
Although tourism appears to be an attractive alternative or supplemental livelihood to fisheries, there
are few practical examples of programs or models that have been successfully implemented in the less
developed world. One of the few published works that explored tourism as an alternative livelihood is
that of Fabinyi (2010), who studied fishing communities in the Calamianes Islands in Palawan, the
Philippines, where tourism has become well established. He concluded that the transition from a fishing-
based economy to a tourism-based economy is not simple and may fail to benefit the intended
marginalized and depressed fishing communities. A further study of relevance is that of Quiros (2007),
who reviewed the impacts of whale shark-based tourism development in Donsol, Luzon Island, the
Philippines. Findings from this work conclude that although fisherfolk were absorbed into the tourism
industry, compliance with code of conduct regulations designed to protect the species are often
sacrificed for the economic benefit of tour operators and the long-term effects on the whale shark
populations are likely detrimental (Quiros, 2007). An in-depth look at multiple community-based
management schemes throughout the Philippines found that economic gain from tourism was a
possible effect of establishing community-managed MPAs; however, the overall and long-term success
of community-based management projects remains minimal (Junio-Menez, 2001). Thus, while many
authors argue for the potential benefits of tourism as an alternative livelihood for the less developed
world (e.g., Bauer, 2005; Croes & Vanegas, 2008; Laws, 2009; E. A. Mensah & Amuquandoh, 2010;
Mograbi & Rogerson, 2007) and some even go as far as contending that tourism is a wealth
redistribution mechanism (from the developed to the less developed nations) (Ashley, Boyd, & Goodwin,
2000), there is little empirical evidence for these lofty claims. Regardless of this lack of evidence and the
known potential limitations of tourism-based development strategies, there is no shortage of efforts and
suggestions for communitybased coastal tourism initiatives (e.g., Chen, 2010; International Fund for
Agricultural Development [IFAD], 2005; Pine, 2007; Smith, 1981). Despite the lack of practical examples
and successes, the popularity of tourism as a suggested development strategy is understandable. The
potential of tourism as an alternative or supplemental livelihood for coastal fishing communities is clear.
It could allow the host communities to maintain their coastal residences and utilize their existing
infrastructure and ecosystems (e.g., vessels, beaches, lagoons, and reefs) (Cheong, 2005; J. V. Mensah &
Antwi, 2002). Furthermore, the transition from fisheries activities to marine tourism-based activities
does not require a fundamental lifestyle change for these peoples whose culture, history, and focus has,
for many generations, been the sea. Additionally, tourism has the potential to alleviate pressure on
marine resources by reducing fisheries effort, discouraging destructive fisheries techniques (e.g., the use
of explosive devices and fine mesh nets), and promoting conservation strategies that render the marine
environment more attractive for tourism (e.g., MPAs). Cruz-Trinidad, Geronimo, and Alino (2008) note
that transforming fisherfolk into tourism workers is more realistic than transitioning to other skilled
industries such as aquaculture. Furthermore, they argue that the diversity of the tourism industry allows
different opportunities for communities to engage in an array of tourism products and services. There is
also potential for growth within a tourism industry in the form of offerings such as tours (e.g., nature
based, community based), accommodation (e.g., home-stays), food/hospitality (e.g., cafes, homebased
meals, street vendors), and entertainment (e.g., cultural shows, dances, and displays). While the
concept behind community-based tourism is often conveyed as simple (e.g., creating a low-cost product
or service to gain entry into an established tourism market), the success rate of community-based
tourism initiatives in coastal fishing communities is low. The social implications associated with these
changes are often scantily addressed. For example, resource use conflicts such as the creation of MPAs
that often parallels coastal tourism developments create many social complexities and challenges in
impoverished areas (Christie, 2004). There is a need for research to explore the practicality of
implementing tourism development as a poverty alleviation and resource conservation strategy. In
particular, remote fisheriesdependent communities in the less developed world are a high priority.
Aswani (2011) emphasizes the importance of integrated approaches for successful fisheries
management schemes, calling for “management regimes that are more adaptive and effective and that
move toward holistic, ecosystem-based marine conservation” (p. 11). As a consequence, the research
presented in this article explores the potential for tourism as a development strategy and, more
specifically, investigates the primary perceptions and understanding of tourism as a potential scheme for
livelihood diversification of members from fishing households in a remote fishing village in Bolinao, the
Philippines. This article builds on previous research by adding perception-based data that seek to
document, not only the potential economic and environmental costs and benefits, but also the
perceived social costs and benefits associated with tourism development.

This study revealed that, although members of an isolated artisanal fishing community in the
Philippines were interested in improving their livelihoods through tourism, there was a lack of basic
knowledge about the associated benefits and risks of tourism at the community level. At this point, this
is the most important constraint to any tourism development-based initiative. This constraint is
supported by Easterly’s (2006) assumption that the majority of current development projects are
idealistic and fail to address on-the-ground realities. To continue to consider tourism as an appropriate
livelihood diversification strategy for remote fishing communities, there remains a need for formal risk
management procedures; a stated willingness of a community to engage in tourism should not be
considered sufficient. The results show that, in any case, the perceptions of fisherfolk are critical
components for any attempts to transition fishing-based communities towards another livelihood.
Although this may appear self-evident, there is an array of developmental strategies and approaches
that do not engage local community members in a meaningful way. Continued degradation of the local
fishery will likely increase poverty and hardship for this community and, as a consequence, alternate
sources of income are needed. Development options are limited in locations such as Barangay Victory
and, despite the many challenges associated with it, tourism may remain one of the few options for
livelihood diversification within this and other remote fishing villages. What is needed at a fundamental
level is a review of current tourism development strategies. The findings from this study, while limited to
a single case, suggest that tourism development as a strategy may require a shift in current thinking.
First, we feel that the reported perceived social benefits of tourism need further exploration and
definition.

TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND POLITICS IN THE PHILIPPINES, Joan C. Henderson, 2011

The paper examines tourism in the Philippines, a South East Asian nation which has yet to reach
its potential as an international destination. Conditions in the country are analysed and possible reasons
for its relatively poor performance are discussed. Various barriers to development are identified, but
political circumstances emerge as a key consideration whereby instability in assorted manifestations has
impeded the operation of the industry, investment and policy making. While experiences of destination
development are distinctive, the particular example offers insights into general processes and
underlying dynamics.
International tourism has expanded rapidly throughout Asia Pacific in recent decades, often at a
faster pace than in other regions of the world, although the global recession which commenced in 2008
has depressed demand and investment. However, the pattern in the Philippines was irregular prior to
the current slowdown and does not conform to general trends. A record one million arrivals in 1980 was
followed by a decline and numbers peaked at 2.2 million in 1997, falling after the Asian financial crisis of
that year. Recovery was underway by the beginning of the new century and there were just over three
million arrivals in 2007 when earnings reached US$4.8 billion (TTG Asia, 2008; UNWTO, 2007). There was
an increase in visitors of 1.53% in 2008 (DOT, 2009a) and a goal has been set of five million tourists from
overseas by 2010 when it is hoped that tourism employment will have doubled to six million and tourists
will constitute 13.6% of GDP (NEDA, 2004) in contrast to 7% in 1998 (NSCB, 2008). About 45% of all
tourists travel for holiday purposes, 26.5% to visit friends and relatives and 16.9% for business. There is
an uneven spread and Metro Manila, Tagatay on the island of Luzon, Cebu Province and Boracay Island
are the preferred destinations (Virola, 2006). It should be noted that domestic tourism is also growing
(Euromonitor, 2008; NSODOT, 2005), although such trips are beyond the remit of this study.
Official interest in tourism is long standing and various development initiatives have been
launched since the 1970s (Choy, 1991; Richter, 1982, 1999; Nanthakumar et al, 2008). However, the
exploitation of tourism for personal and political gain during the Marcos dictatorship proved to be a
striking illustration of its political uses and abuses, resulting in grandiose and inappropriate projects.
Nevertheless, tourism is recognised as an economic sector of significance which has excellent prospects.
It is a core component of the Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTDP) 2004-2010, dedicated
to fighting ‘poverty by building prosperity for the greatest number of the Filipino people’ (NEDA, 2004,
p. 1), and presented in the document as a top priority because of its many social and economic
advantages. Some analysts claim that tourism has already helped certain of the poorest rural areas to
improve living standards (Euromonitor, 2008). Most tourists enter by air and the Philippines has 85
airports, eight of which are international (EIU, 2009). Manila is the prime gateway and used by about 30
airlines. Another six airlines mainly adhere to the budget carrier model and ply domestic routes,
although Cebu Pacific Air serves 15 Asian cities and is seeking to add more to its timetable (Cebu Pacific,
2009). The government is investing heavily in airport infrastructure in response to optimistic traffic
forecasts (Euromonitor, 2006), but the absence of direct international flights into airports at popular
destinations is a hindrance to visitors (TTG Asia, 2008). With regard to internal communications, the
geography of the Philippines imposes major constraints and transport systems are described as
‘inadequate, having suffered from decades of underinvestment’ (EIU, 2008, p. 12). A Subic-Clark
Expressway was completed in 2008 and extensions are planned, yet much of the road network is not all
weather (Ejes, 2002) and rail services nationwide are limited. There is a great deal of sea traffic, but the
‘inter-island fleet is old, safety regulations are poor and maritime navigational aids, in particular
lighthouses, are inadequate’ (EIU, 2008, p. 13). Air is a possible alternative and the budget carrier
industry is burgeoning after steps towards liberalisation which have helped to offset the reduction in
PAL internal flights. Domestic regulation and safety are, however, issues of concern. There is no
comprehensive audit of accommodation supply and some statistical inconsistencies, but an official
survey concludes that there are 95,812 hotel and restaurant establishments in the country; of these,
4,021 are hotels, camping sites and other providers of short stay accommodation. Westerners have
been exposed to the ‘WOW Philippines’ flagship campaign (Euromonitor, 2008), but the focus of
marketing has shifted from Europe and North America to East Asia. However, there has been criticism of
inadequate funding for overseas promotion (Mintel, 2004), compounded by the comparatively weak
currency, and budgets are smaller than those of many competitors National Tourism Organisations. A
final aspect to consider is natural disasters and the Philippines has an average of 20 tropical storms each
year during the typhoon season from July to November. Ensuing flooding and landslides, accompanied
by human casualties, are not uncommon. There are 24 active volcanoes and a danger of earthquakes,
the last major one being in 1990 when over 1100 perished. Government disaster planning and recovery
efforts vary and there is evidence of advances (Luna, 2001), but resource constraints have adverse
implications for levels of preparedness and mitigation and corresponding repercussions for tourism.
Successful response and recovery strategies, helping to inspire and restore confidence amongst tourists
and other interested parties, require expertise and funding which may be scarce in developing countries
such as the Philippines. CONCLUSIONS Shortcomings in transport, accommodation, attractions,
marketing and other areas would thus seem to disadvantage the Philippines at large as a destination for
international visitors. However, it can be argued that political circumstances are crucial in their effects
and instability has discouraged inbound tourists concerned about safety. It has also deterred investors
worried about financial risks and industry practitioners based overseas as well as posing difficulties for
operators within the country and marketers who have to combat negative destination images. Vital
tasks of infrastructure upgrading, capacity enlargement and enhanced promotion are partly reliant on
government action which is not always forthcoming. Even if some steps are taken, persistent political
uncertainties act to inhibit the nature and pace of development. The future of politics in the Philippines
and international tourism there are matters for speculation and it is to be hoped that both see
improvement, allowing the country to make the best use of its undoubted tourism assets and secure
development which is sustainable. Such progress will be a long-term process and the Philippines merits
study in order to monitor political changes and the consequences for tourism. Analysis of the situation
illuminates problems for international tourism arising from national political cultures and practices and
knowledge thereby gained could help and enhance industry responses. The case confirms that tourism
cannot be fully understood in isolation from broader conditions at a destination, not least the political
environment which can profoundly affect destination development.
Tourism Development in Cagayan Valley, Catulin, 2018
Cagayan Valley is composed of five provinces: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva
Vizcaya, and Quirino designated as Region II in the Philippines, dubbed as the “Emerald
Freeport” and considered as the Northern Gateway of the Philippines. It is host to the Cagayan
Freeport managed by the Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) as created and established by
Republic Act 7922 under section 3 which shall cover the entire area embraced by the
Municipality of Santa Ana and the islands of Fuga, Barit, and Mabbag in the Municipality of
Aparri, Province of Cagayan. As a matter of interest, the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority
(CEZA) has received a proposal to convert the Cagayan North International Airport (CNIA) also
known as Lal-lo International Airport (LIA) into logistics aviation hub that will serve the entire
area of CEZA. Sitting on a 150-hectare land with a control tower and passengers’ lounge, the
CNIA has a 2.1-kilometer long, 45-meter wide runway and can accommodate large aircraft
particularly Airbus 320s and Boeing 737s. Moreover, it can serve domestic flights to other
airports in the country and international flights to some countries such as Japan, Hong Kong,
Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and China.
Evidently, Cagayan Valley’s economy grew significantly at 7.2 percent in 2017 from its
3.8 percent growth in 2016. Among the three major economic industries, their services continued
to account for the largest share of the region’s economy in 2017 as it contributed 51.1 percent of
the total domestic production. Since the economy of Cagayan Valley is services-based, the
majority of its output is under other services sub-sector to highlight, in Tourism.
Undoubtedly, the Cagayan Province portrays a majestic view under CEZA which has
several famous attractions that includes the Cape Engaño Lighthouse/Cove (USA Survivor 27
and 28 filming area) Siwangag Cove (USA Survivor 27 and 28 filming area), white sand beaches
like Angib, Mapurao, Nangaramoan, Pozo Robo; the Gotan mangrove forest and waterfalls and
many more. Also, to wit some, it hosts casino and other gaming facilities in Sun City Casino in
Barangay Tangatan Buacag Falls at Sta. Clara, Padlas Falls at Casambalangan, Lamesa Falls at
Casagan, Sinago Cove Dumasag River at Rapuli Riding Takuli (a traditional kayak) and firefly
watching at Brgy. Casagan Santa Ana, the Game Fishing hub of the Philippines and the
international decathlons, where athletes run through the rugged terrain of Punta Verde to Cape
Engaño, then dipped in the crystal clear water of the Philippine Sea.
With the aforementioned, it is proper opportunity for Air Asia to invest through opening
an aviation hub in Lal-lo International Airport as CEZA, through its mission and vision which
emphasizes the development of Tourism for the region, and if granting that Air Asia, the first and
only airline that offers low-cost fare and tour packages with their no frills and cost saving
innovations compared to the other airlines such as PAL and Cebu Pacific, will surely offer a
higher quality service in Cagayan Valley. Also, it will be a strong tandem with the Royal Air
Philippines, a chartered airline for International flights exclusively for Chinese tourists from
Macau going to Santa Ana, Cagayan visiting the Cagayan Free Port via Lal-lo International
Airport (LIA).
 With the abrupt development tourism in Cagayan, supporting amenities such hotels,
casinos and other establishment are continuously being build which can be a strategic market
place to the Lal-lo International Airport, and will be more enhanced if Air Asia Philippines will
invest their logistic services through building its aviation hub. Also, the point of entry or access
points will be larger, given that the only access by land is through Florida and Victory limited to
Tuguegarao City, while access by air is through PAL and Cebu Pacific limited also to
Tuguegarao City and the Royal Air chartered only for Chinese tourists, therefore will also, get a
greater scope of tourist passengers.
The development of Tourism, through opening a low-cost aviation hub is a great avenue
for more business and industrial opportunities especially for domestic operations opening direct
flights from Manila to Lal-lo International Airport that will give a comfortable and light travel
for tourists who will be visiting the Cagayan FreePort Area especially in Santa Ana, Cagayan. To
wit, Santa Ana, Cagayan being more discovered with its natural resources that remarks new
tourist spots , especially its white sand beaches such as the Angib, Palaui, and Pozo Robo, now
being known as the Boracay of the North, that can be an alternative spot for the temporary
closure of the Boracay in Aklan. And to follow, new activities such as snorkeling, sky-diving,
fishing, hiking, archaeological site seeing, legal collection of species will also be an additional
business opportunity and can be an attraction in the inclusion of market especially in promoting
tour packages in the said area.

TOURIST PREFERENCES OF CHOOSING TOURISM DESTINATION IN CAGAYAN PROVINCE,

Mappala, 2020

As a tourism destination, Cagayan has a variety of areas with outstanding scenic beauty ranging from
beaches, picturesque mountains, bird sanctuaries, game sanctuaries, limestone caves, fluvial attractions,
museums, historical landmarks and centuries old churches. Cagayans’s major tourism destination are
the Callao Caves in the town of Penablanca, Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Piat in the municipality of
Piat, Duba Cave and Blue Water at Baggao, and Palaui Island and Anguib Beach in the municipality of
Sta. Ana. Aside from that, there is also the St. Peter’s Cathedral, Calvary Hills, Sierra Cave, Portabaga
Falls, and Magapit Suspension Bridge.
Visiting Cagayan is incomplete without trying the local cuisine. Cagayan abounds in farm products like
milk, eggs, poultry and beef. These are put to good use by local food establishments. Tuguegarao
longanisa, also known as Ybanag longanisa, is especially tasty and tangy, as it’s made from ground pork
mixed with salt and garlic, and cooked in its own fat. Pawa is steamed bun made from malagkit or
glutinous rice, and filled with ground sticky peanuts so it tastes like kakanin with peanut butter. This can
be purchased at local vendors usually near churches and public markets. Cagayan also has its own
version of noodles called Pancit Batil Patong. The dish uses handmade noodles doused with a sauce, and
is topped with meat, fried egg, and spices. To obtain data for the purpose of this study, the descriptive
type of research was employed. A survey was conducted in the selected destinations in Cagayan by
distributing a set of structured questionnaires to tourists who arrived. Data were gathered from a total
of 80 participants (20 participants from each tourist spot).

Table 1. Frequency Count and Percentage Distribution of

Participants in terms of Type of Tourist
1. Type of Tourist
Type Frequency Count Percentage

Local Tourist 76 95.00

Foreign Tourist
4 5.00

Table shows that 76 or 95.00% of the participants are local tourists while 4 or 5% of them are foreign
tourists. Majority of the participants are local tourists while foreigners are limited due to undeveloped
tourist attraction in Cagayan.

Table 2. Tourism destination preferred by the tourist in Cagayan Province

Items Frequency Count Percentage

Sta Ana Beaches, Sta Ana,

Cagayan 18 22.50

Trekking and Swimming at Blue

Water, Baggao, Cagayan 19 23.80

Basilica Minore of Our Lady of

Visitation Piat Cagayan 33 41.30
Basilica Minore of Our Lady of
Visitation Piat Cagayan 33 41.30
Callao Cave Peñablanca, Cagayan
10 12.50

Table shows that 33 or 41.30% of the participants preferred to travel Basilica Minore of Our Lady of
Visitation Piat, Cagayan while 10 or 12.50% of them preferred to travel Callao Cave Peñablanca,
Cagayan. Majority of the participants preferred to travel Basilica Minore of Our Lady of Visitation Piat,
Cagayan since the Basilica is the most visited place by tourist in Cagayan because of the religious belief
and cultures established by the Spaniards.

Conclusions:
Based upon the results of the study, tourists have commonly preferred the Basilica Minore of Our Lady
of Visitation of Piat, Piat, Cagayan as the top most tourist attraction in Cagayan Valley due to the
hospitality and approachability of the personnel. To attract more tourist to visit Cagayan, the Provincial
government should invest more on its tourist destination by producing more souvenir items in all
souvenir shops and develop new tourism adventures that would attract more local and foreign tourist to
come.

Proposed framework for potential religious tourism destination in Cagayan Valley Region, Tao-Ing,
2022
This study aimed to propose a framework for religious sites improvement in Cagayan Valley Region. The
researcher determined the motivational factor, tourist experiences and assessed the tourist behavior
and intention to revisit the religious sites in Cagayan Valley Region. It tested the significant difference
when grouped according to demographic and psychographic profiles of the respondents and
determined the significant relationship among the given variables. The researcher used quantitative
method and descriptive research design. The respondents of the study were 417 tourists who visited the
religious sites. The instrument was adapted from three different studies. Further, the Statistical test
used for the study was based on the Shapiro Wilk test, Kruskal Wallis Test, Mann Whitney U-test to test
the significant differences while, Spearman Rho for the test of relationship, then Linear regression to
determine the predictor variables of tourist experience, tourist intention and tourist motivation.
Religion II is the Cagayan Valley Region, strategically placed on mainland Luzon's northeastern coast. The
Cordillera Mountain range borders it on the west, the Sierra Madre on the east, the Caraballo
Mountains on the south, and the Luzon Strait on the north. Cagayan Valley is one of the Philippines'
locations that makes visitors fall in love with the country's natural beauty. Cagayan Valley Region is
undoubtedly a one-stop destination for travelers looking for a magnificent view and unforgettable
experience, with a cold fresh air, calming blue seas, breath taking waterfalls and caves, green forests,
and many vintage-old historical landmarks and exciting festivals (Department of Trade and Industry,
2021). Meanwhile, sightseeing, visits, vacations, and pilgrimages were the most common forms of
tourism in the region. Other types of tourist packages, such as adventure and sports tourism, are still
missing, among other things (Neda, 2013). The Cagayan Valley Region is home to several religious
tourism attractions, yet there is a clear research gap in this area (Rebuya et al., 2020). To close this gap,
the study will establish a recommended framework for religious sites sustainability and growth in the
region, considering tourists’ perceptions. The researcher is deeply motivated in conducting the study to
create an improvement and authenticity drive religious branding initiatives in Region II. This research
will highlight the areas to sustain and improve from the inputs of tourists’ intention, factors that
motivate and help them to decide in visiting the religious site, upon arrival to the destination will take
consideration the essential elements that contribute to their memorable and meaningful experience. In
this case, the paper addresses the different aspects to improve the religious features and characteristics
as to become a promising religious destination. The researcher believes that will help to stablish
religious destination branding the Cagayan Valley Region.

Table 1 presents the psychographic profile of the respondents. Most of the respondents agreed to visit
Cagayan Valley Region Again with a bigger number of 337 or 80.8 percent as to compared with an
undecided answer of “maybe” with 78 or 18.7 percent while the 2 or .5 percent implied “never” to visit
the region. Most of the tourists agreed that given the chance to travel again, they will go and explore
the place longer and farther, since there got a limited time and mobility because of pandemic issues.
Very few said that they will never return because of some personal matter. They did not discuss any
more to the researcher and it has nothing to do with place as they affirmed. The 355 or 85.1 percent
respondents recommend the region, for maybe, 61 or 14.6 percent and never is only 1 or .2 percent.
They will recommend the place to others, the respondents said that there is no reason at all not to
recommend. The destination as whole is good destination specially for nature-based tourists. For overall
satisfaction, it figured out that there were 282 or 67.6 percent of respondents excellently satisfied, many
assess their satisfaction as good with 127 or 30.5 percent and the fair satisfaction of 7 or 1.7 percent,
the least is 1 or .2 percent, poor satisfaction. Based on the interaction with the tourists, they are
satisfied however, because of some travel restrictions and issues, they were not able to explore
thoroughly the places. They added, when pandemic ends, the possibility to come back has greater
chances and they will make sure that they are going to have the maximum value of their trip. They will
visit the churches, cities, and other attractions in the area. The categorization of customers is an
important aspect of religious tourism strategy. Researchers have difficult to distinguish between
"pilgrims" and "tourists" since their identities overlap to a considerable extent while participating in
religious activities/sightseeing (Wang et al., 2020).

Based on the results, the respondents have shown their enormous admiration to the old-fashioned
structures of the religious sites and the nature within the place. In addition, the respondents considered
the cultural and historical attraction in Cagayan Valley Region. They express appreciation on how the
region valued cultural and historical heritage. The respondents are extremely attached to the nature of
the Cagayan Valley Region. Needless to say, the majestic beauty of Batanes, more so, other religious
sites are situated close to nature. That ambience made the religious sites remarkable to the perception
of many tourist’s visitors. Very few would say that the purpose of their travel is for wellness and the
healing ambience of the religious site. However, majority visited the religious sites for spiritual purposes
and exploring the nature that surrounded the place. The focus was on passengers' perspectives as a
source of heritage attraction information and a foundation for tourism decision-making. Heritage
attractions are displayed and promoted, especially if the cultural value of the attractions is emphasized.
Furthermore, religious places should be investigated in tourism to see whether and how they might
improve tourists' experiences (De Ascaniis et al., 2017).
Conclusion and Recommendation
Majority of the respondents are female, 25 years old and below, generation Z and single. Most of the
respondents visited Cagayan Valley Region because they wanted to discover new cultures and different
religions and stayed for 2-4 days. They confirmed that they will visit again the region and recommend it
to others because they are excellently satisfied. Based on the result, tourists’ revisit the religious sites in
Cagayan Valley Region in terms of social environment is because of the sacredness of the ambience, for
facilities the respondents look in to the availability and accessibility of the prayer area. Further, the
respondents affirmed the presence of clean and safe food establishments, staff in the religious area are
friendly, can communicate well and respectful that made them satisfied to visit other religious sites in
Cagayan Valley region in the future. The research study showed the relevance of tourist motivation
visiting the religious sites in Cagayan Valley Region focused on the interest to religious figures, love, and
respect for God, spend time with their family and friend while on a trip enjoying the beautiful landscape
and nature and believed that travelling to religious site relieved stress and harmonized emotions. The
study looked further also on the tourist experiences on visiting the religious sites in Cagayan Valley
Region, the respondents affirmed that the religious sites are well conserved, emotionally, the
destination is special to them which gave them a happy feeling. There is no significant difference on
tourist’ intention, motivation and experience when grouped according to the profile variables however,
on the psychographic profile which specifically refers to the overall satisfaction. There is a significant
difference on religious site tourist’s revisit intentions and cultural and historic motives. On the other
hand, there is a significant relationship of experience between tourist’s intention and motivation. The
researcher proposed a framework for religious sites improvement in Cagayan Valley Region.

Drivers of Blue Economy in Luzon, Philippines: Status, Threats, and Potentials for Development, Sanchez-
Escalona, 2022
Blue economy refers to sustainable economic pursuits done in the marine environment, which include
fishing and aquaculture, coastal recreation and tourism, maritime industry, energy industry, and
offshore mining and quarrying. Opportunities include optimization of aquaculture technology,
sustainable financing schemes for aquaculture and tourism, infrastructure investments that promote
sustainable fishing practices, sustainable financing scheme, enhancement of existing technology for the
maritime industry, human resource development, and tapping ocean power potentials. Coordinated and
integrated planning, considering skills of human resources, economic status of coastal communities, and
scientific data would optimize blue economic development. Coastal Recreation and Tourism There is no
available data on the gross direct value of the coastal recreation and tourism industry by region; thus,
tourism activity related to blue economic development cannot be estimated. Coastal tourism in Luzon,
however, maybe considered vibrant when multimedia promotional information is considered. The
Department of Tourism, for example, promotes three beaches within Luzon to be one of the top 5 beach
destinations in the country (www.tourism.gov. ph, accessed on October 6, 2020). These include
Pagudpod in Ilocos Norte (No. 2) and El Nido in Palawan (No. 4). Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro (No.
1), Anilao in Batangas (No. 2), and Tubbataha Reef National Park in Palawan (No. 7) are also promoted as
top diving destinations (www.tourism. gov.ph, accessed on October 6, 2020). The Puerto Princesa
Underground River is also promoted as a top World Heritage destination. Other coastal recreation and
tourism activities may include surfing and eco-tourism. Surfing had been promoted vigorously in limited
sites in Luzon, particularly Aurora Province, Quezon Province, La Union, and Zambales (Go, undated). In
ecotourism, major coastal and marine attractions include diving and snorkeling in Apo Reef Natural Park
in Occidental Mindoro, Coron Island, El Nido Protected Area, and Tubbataha Reef Natural Park in
Palawan; whale-shark observation in Donsol, Sorsogon; and beaching and swimming in Hundred Islands
National Park in Pangasinan (NESC et al. 2002). Mangrove eco-parks, mostly established through
community efforts, generate income for coastal communities and may be considered a potential
ecotourism niche. The coastal recreation and tourism industry’s gross direct value was PHP 19,195,000
in 2020 based on estimates by PSA (2019) employing over 24,000 people. The national gross domestic
product in 2018, was up by more than 14% from the 2017 value (PSA 2020). However, no segregated
data may be used to directly link it to the blue economy of Luzon. Coastal Recreation and Tourism In
preparing the National Ecotourism Strategy in 2002, DOT presented data that beaches, together with
golf and gambling, are the most frequent destination for arriving tourists (NESC 2002). In fact, beach-
based tourism in the Philippines is typical. The data, however, is more than two decades old and no
update is available. This deficiency in data may be considered a limitation to the presentation of a more
profound contribution of the coastal area to the national economy. Coastal and marine attractions like
whale shark watching in Donsol, Sorsogon are considered the most successful ecotourism products in
the Philippines (NESC 2002). As the activities are tightly linked to the natural resources present in the
area, limitations to the development of the industry include illegal fishing activities that damage the
reefs. Ecotourism may also put pressure on the iconic species of interest. In Donsol, for example,
pressure to bring in more income from whale shark watching became disruptive to the whale sharks,
with more people plopping into the water at the same time. In Oslob, Cebu, tourism pressure
encouraged the unsustainable practice of whale shark feeding. Limitations to the development of
coastal and marine ecotourism also include the skills of the people involved. Scuba diving needs specific
skills and training that in most cases, is deficient among local communities. This limits the benefits of the
industry to the local people, which may generate struggles among local people. Coastal Recreation and
Tourism The economic contribution of the natural marine ecosystems is always undermined by the
indirect determination of their value in the monetary dimension. This is demonstrated by our coral
reefs. Azanza et al. (2017) valued ecosystem provisioning services of the coral reefs at USD352, 249.00
per hectare per year. The value, however, is often lost with the non-market characteristics of the
resources.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Blue economy as an economic concept may very well be a case of “selling nature to save it” (McAffe
1999). This underlines the proper valuing of marine resources in monetary terms in order to finance
their management and conservation removing the occurrence of the tragedy of the commons. The
establishment of the Philippine Ocean Economy Satellite Account (POESA) under the auspices of the
Philippine Statistics Office to valuate the associated ocean activities in the Philippines initiates the
needed data to manage and maximize the blue economy. As of 2015, ocean economic industries
contribute 7% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) worth 11.9 B USD (Zafra 2022). Coastal and marine
tourism contribute 20% to the value underscoring the need for a standardized inventory of resources as
a basis for determining the carrying capacity of tourism areas. Carrying capacity estimates the maximum
crowd that may be allowed at any given time so as not to compromise the natural processes in an area.
The inclusion of conservation measures, such as embedding payment of ecosystem services, to any
tourism activity will give equal value to conservation and resource use.

STA. ANA CAGAYAN TOURISM AND RECREATIONAL RESORT, Sotelo,

Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the world in regard to economical,
technological and social transformations, facilitates significant interactions and
transactions among different countries as well here in the Philippines. Santa Ana, a
second-class municipality in the province of Cagayan, northeast part of Luzon and home
of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport. Cagayan Special Economic Zone
and Freeport is being managed by Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, a government
owned and controlled corporation that was created by the virtue of Republic Act 7922,
otherwise known as the “Cagayan Special Economic Zone Act of 1995”. Cagayan
Economic Zone Authority and the Leisure and Resorts World Corporation (LRWC)
inclined to create Tourism and Recreational Resort Development that will progress the
tourism rate and the freeport economic zone of Cagayan. Visitors are encouraging to be
part of the advocacy and contribute to the success of the project by following rules,
respecting established systems, providing feedback, appreciating the experience and
educating others on the values that they have learned from the people and the
municipality of Sta. Ana. A development that has adopted the Dream brand to express
its authenticity as a destination and give importance to the opportunities it provides for
the residents and the visitors.

1.1.1 Development of tourism in the Philippines - Cagayan Valley

Tourism is an important sector for the Philippine economy. In 2015, the travel and
tourism industry contributed 10.6% to the country's GDP. The tourism growth over the past 50
years is intense. From 25 Million in the year 1950 the tourism rate bursts to 698 Million in year
2000, one of the most remarkable economic and social phenomena of that period. Forecasts
indicate the trend will continue with 1.5 B in 2020.

Figure 1.2 International Tourist Arrivals, year 1950 – 2004

Source: Overview of the Philippine Tourism by DOT Usec. O. P. Palabyab
 Despite of having a wide coastal area and rich coastal resources, the tourist rate
of region 2 is still a challenge compare to other regions in the country. In an effort to
beep up tourism planning and development in the region of Cagayan, the National
Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) of Region 2 has conducted some
workshops on Cagayan Valley Coastal Tourism Development Planning. Workshop
outputs will be used for the formulation of a Coastal Tourism Development Plan covering
the coastal municipalities of Cagayan and Isabela. The plan shall serve as the basis of
the government and private sectors in developing tourism in the region. The participants
came from different coastal municipalities of Cagayan and Isabela, Regional Line
Agencies, Provincial Local Government Units and private institutions.

The Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) is a government owned and

controlled corporation. A Corporation that was created by the Republic Act 7922 to
develop, manage and operate the 54,000 – hectare Cagayan Freeport.

Figure 1.5 Tourist Arrivals per Region, 2010

Source: Department of Tourism

The main goal of CEZA is to uplift economic development in the economic zone through
Transshipment, Agro- Industry and Tourism. In the past few years region 2 or the
Cagayan region is one of the lowest ranking regions in terms of tourism rate.
 Within the total 54,000 hectares of Cagayan Special Economic Zone and
Freeport, 1 out 3 of CEZA vission was allocated for tourism development. With the
increasing number of business, gaming and tourism activities in CSEZFP, this project
will set off sporting and recreational opportunities for its existing locators and prospective
citizens. Since the CEZA is emerging transshipment, gaming and tourism activities and
with the help of two emerging international airport; the Tuguegarao and Lal – lo
International Air Ports, the proposed Sta. Ana Cagayan Tourism and Recreational
Resort tends to spur economic development and tourism rate not only to the town but to
the whole province of Cagayan. The study will be the pillar for improvement of the area
through the presence of efficient architectural strategies.

Praxis and challenges of Tour guides in Quirino province, Philippines, Erana et. al, 2021

This study aims to determine the different tour guide practices and challenges in the
Province of Quirino. This study uses the quantitative approach. Data collection techniques were
interviews and questionnaires that were measured using a Likert scale. The questionnaire was
distributed to 22 respondents who were tour guides of the different tourist destinations in the
province. The data were analysed using SPSS with the Frequency Counts/ Percentage, Mean and
F-test (ANOVA) as statistical tools.
Quirino province is one of the most obscure of the 81 provinces in the Philippines and
Quirino is a landlocked province in Northern Luzon surrounded by Isabela, Aurora and Nueva
Vizcaya. The province is dubbed as the “Forest Heartland of Cagayan” an off-the-beaten-track
destination geared towards eco-adventurers. Tourism in the province of Quirino is a growing
sector contributing to socio-economic development opportunities while environmental and
natural resource conservation and protection is vigorously pursued. The province is a silent and
a landlocked haven of ecotourism destinations identified by the Regional Development Council
for sustainable ecotourism development given such bounty of nature-based riches. Quirino was
blessed with scenic spots that include unique caves formations, awe-dropping landscapes,
distinct rock towers, pristine rivers, breath-taking waterfalls, mountains and valleys, forests,
plantations, minerals, corridor hills, lush forests, native products, rich cultural heritage and arts.
Besides the natural landmarks, the province conducted annual motocross competition and
wakeboarding activity.
Main Findings: The results of this study indicated most of the respondents are male. The
tour guiding practices and the challenges in the province of Quirino is “Strongly Agree” when
grouped by sex, age and ethnic affiliation. There is no significant difference on the tour guiding
practices among the tour guides in the province of Quirino when grouped by sex and ethnic
affiliation. Implications: The ability of tour guides to provide exceptional service to tourists is
crucial not just to the business's profitability, but also to the destination's reputation. As per
recommended there should be an established system of on-gong training and assessment to
maintain high standards in performance of tour guides. The provincial tourism should continue
to improve their services especially more trainings and seminars will be given to the accredited
tour guides in the province of Quirino. For a profession that was shifting to maintain its
relevance in a world of apps and self-guided tours, this is another change that requires
adaptation. Originality: The study is original and novel, it explored the practices and challenges
encountered by tour guides in our province.

CONCLUSION
The study sought to assess the tour guides practices and challenges in the province of Quirino.
The study considered the age as an important factor in the praxis of tour guides in Quirino
Province especially along indicator “ma es the necessary arrangement and preparation before
the tour” and “bringing necessary equipment and tools (first aid it)”. On the other hand, ethnic
affiliation affects the challenges along indicator “repeatedly tell tourist not to do anything
forbidden in the area” . Based on the results the study concludes that age and ethnic affiliation
affects the praxis and challenges of Tour guides in the province of Quirino.