Market Research 2007

MARKET
RESEARCH
As a Componentof the
ParticipatoryAction Researchtowards Developinga
Comprehensive SorsogonEcotourismplan
Preparedby
TheLingapparasaKalusugan
ngSambayanan,
Inc.(LtKAs)
Forthe Foundationfor phitippine

Environment(FpE),
Foundation
for a Sustainable
Society,lnc.(FSSI)
andthe
peaceandEquityFoundation (pEF)
November,
2007
TABLEOF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1 PageNo.
Introduction
Statementof the Probtem 1
Objectivesof the Study 2
Significanceof the Study 2
Scopeand Limitation 3
i4aterialsand Methodology 4
Brief Reviewof Literature 7
CHAPTER
2
Resultsand Discussion
TouristArrivalsin the Phitippines 12
Tourismin SorsogonProvince 13
MajorTourist Attractions 14
WhatesharkWatching andInteractionin Donsol 14
RizatBeachof cubat 16
Totong-gapo Beachin BaconDistrict 16
Butusan Volcano NaturatPark i7
Hot andCotdSprings of trosin 18
TheMangroveand FishSanctuaryof prieto Diaz 19
PNOC Eco-Park 2l
The Pili Festivat 22
The Kasanggayahan Festival 22
Arrival Performancein SorsogonProvince 23
TouristArrivatsin Donsol 24
TouristArrivalsin the ButusanVotcanoNaturatpark 25
VisitorDataCottection 27
The SorsogonTourismMarket
Socio-demographic Profile
SexandAgeof Visitors 28
Profession/Occupation 29
Countryof Residence 29
DestinationRelatedlnformation
Pointsof Entry 30
Durationof Stay/Travel 32
Famil.iarity
with Sorsogon provinceand
the community 33
Tour/TravelCosts 35
Motivation,Preferencesand SatisfactionRating
TravetBehaviorandMotivation 37
SatisfactionRateand Preferences 39
ProductAddedVatue 41
Conseryationand Ecotourism Awareness
Conservation and Environmental Awareness 43
Visitor'sFeesfor Conservation and Devetopment
Activities 44
HinderingFactorsfor Visitingother Partsof sorsogon45
3
CHAPTER
Summaryand Conclusion
Summary 49
Critical Assessment
Opportunitiesand Strengths 51
Gaps,lssuesand Probtems 55
Conclusion 60
CHAPTER
4
Recommendations 62
List of Figures
List of Tables
References
Appendices
A. VisitorSurvey
Emerging
B. Existing, TourismDestinations
andPotentiaI in Sorsogon
Province
C. ResearchTeam
EXECUTIVE
SUMARY
Donsolis inctudedamongthe 32 key ecotouristssitesin the phitippinesthat

the Departmentof Tourismhaspromotedmost heavityas a viabteand successful
destination.The whate shark eco-adventureis the most poputarand visited by
both tocatand foreign tourists.As it is, onty Donsolbenefitsfrom tourismin th;
province.However,other sitesof ecotogicalrichnessand beautywhichcoutdcatch
the interestof touristsand promotethe provinceremainunder-utitized.Numerous
eco-tourismactivities are avaitabtein other parts of Sorsogonbut stilt a targe
ponion of tourists had no idea that these activities are being offered and are
possible.
The purposeof this studyis to identify the typesof eco-touristscomingto

the provinceof Sorsogon.ldentifying the distinct type of tourists yisiting the
provinceis beneficiatfor the ptanning,managementand marketjngof tourism.
Theinformationwitt attow managersto addressdifferent motivations,experiences
andimpactsof touristsand to undeEtandwhichtourist typesare more tiiety to be
found at different stagesin the evotutionof tourismarea. TourismdeveloDment
shouldnot focusonly on the supptyor productbut atsothe demandsand needsof
the visitorsor the ctients.
The recommendations containedhereinMtt be usedin the formationof an

IntegratedEcotourismManagement Ptanfor the provincepertainingto ecotourism
devetopment.Recommendations for interventionsare consistentwith the Nationat
IntegratedProtectedAreasor NtpASapproachto natural resourcemanagement
and the ProvinciatEcotourismFrameworkof Sorsogonwhich aims at achieving
biodiversityconservationgoatswhite providingsocio-economicdevetopmentto the
[oca[community.
In order to designrecommendations,
availabtetourismdata and the resutts
of a visitor surveyconductedovera two monthperiodwere analfzed.
The Visitor Surveywas abte to determine the demographics of the eco-

tourists, their travel behavior,motivationsand experiences.Aide from gauging
their_ tevet of knowtedge and invotvement in environmental conservation,
satisfactionratingsand preferenceswere [ikewiseexDlained.
Basedon the results of the Visitor Survey,the averagetourist to Sorsogon
15......
. young,mosttyteenagersand youngprofessionats
. mostlyfrom American,EuropeanandAsianCountries
. independenttourist and travelsto Sorsogon without a guide
. has chosento visit Sorsogonmainly for the opportunity to expenence
atternativetourism(whalesharkwatching/interaction),educationtourism
(eco-toursand studytours)and recreation
. doesnot currentlyknow muchabout Sorsogon but woutdlike to rearnmore
especialtyaboutits cuttureand peoDte
. staysan averageof 2 to 3 daysin Donsoland tessthan a day for the rest of
the tourist destinationsin Sorsogon
. saysthat hatf of their yacationtime is on ecotourismactivities
. dec{aresthat tearningabout natureis an jmportant basisor motivationfor
visit or travet to any destination.
. lt was ctearty establ.ishedthat the sorsogonprovince can expec an

increasingannualgrowthin tourist arrivatsoverthe next severatyears.The tourist
market of Sorsogon attracts and fascinatesa wide rangeof travelersand visitors.
Accordingly,this is the potentiat market that the pro;nce hopesto captureand
entice for its ecotourismindustry.Existingtourismin the provinceis mostlymass
tourism.However,emergingmarketfor natureand educationtourismis apparent.
Unfortunate{y,a good number of the tourism sites in Sorsogonremain targety
unexplored andunderutitized.
Most of the tourists to the province were young hence the increasing
interest for adventuretourism.Theseare nature-based tourismthat incorporatei
an.etementof risk, highertevelsof physicatexertionand the needfor speciatized
skitt. A targe portion of the tourists were professionats,employees,cottege
studentsand businessmen. Therefore,majority of the touriststo the irovtnce have
higher education, are experiencedtraveters and beLongto the upper income
bracket.Thesecharacteristicswere reftectiveon the visiior,spreferences,travet
behavior,motivationand type of activitiesundertaken.
Tourists' motivationsshowedconsistencywith the patterns of activities

carried out by the touristsand the sites they visited. Birdersor nature tounsts,
who were motivated by birds, the v{itdtife and the natural environmenr,as
expected,visited sites which offered nature-basedactivitiessuchas whateshark
watching and interaction, bird watching and river cruisingamong others. The
choicesof activitiesanddestinations
wererelatedto, andresultedfrom,tourists'
motivations.
Targetgoalsfor Sorsogon's ecotourism shoutdbe improvingthe province,
abitity to capturemore tourism revenuesand receivingmore arrivatson a
sustainabte basis.Precaution,however,shoutdbe made on maximizingthe
resources withoutcompromising anddestroying the enMronment.Interventionsto
improveeco-tourismdevetopmentshoutdinclude, amongotheR, expanding
tinkages betweenthe Butusan Votcano NaturalParkandthe whatesharkin Donsot
with otherexistingtourismin the provincethroughimprovedvisitor'saccessto
information,strengthened marketingand promotion,and creationof packaged
toursto matchpotentiatmarketsegments. Anotherimportantfactoris improving
opportunityfor [oca[populationto participatemorein the industryas owners,
operators andpart of the ancittaryservices
throughdevelopmentof the skittbase
of residentsso they can be professionattyemptoyed.Thesewoutdconsequentty
addvatueto the ecotourism Droduct.
Throughecotourism, the socio-economicbenefitsare directedto the locat
community,and the touristsbenefitas wett with the opportunityto experience
nature'suntaintedsptendorandcontributeto the protectionof the environment
andpreservationof a community's
cultureandheritage.
CHAPTERI
INTRODUCTION
Ecotourism represents the fastestgrowingsegmentin the wortdof travet

today.Considering the increasing
marketandbecause ecotourism ensures
that the
integrity of the ecosystemis not compromised, it is being promoted by
government ptanners,NG0s,privateinvestorsandthe tourismindustryasa whole.
Therearefour priorityProtected
Areasin the BicolRegionandtwo of these
-
are tocatedin SorsogonDonsot for whatesharkandthe Butusan VolcanoNatural
Park.Thesetwo sites are amongthe most famoustourist destinationin the
province.However thesenaturatendowments continueto bethreatened by tackof
environmental awareness amongpeopte,uncoordinated effortsandmislaidsense
of deve(opment amonglocalexecutives,
Statementof the Problem
Mosttouriststo the BicotRegioncometo seethe MayonVotcano in Atbay,

the Whatesharkin Donsol,Sorsogon and latetythe Water SportsComptex in Piti,
Camarines Sur.Theinfluxof touristsin Sorsogonprovince,bothlocatandforeign,
is mosttyfett in Donsolduringwhatesharkseason. As it is, ontyDonsotbenefits
from tourismin the province.However,there are atsoother sitesof ecotogical
richnessand beautywhichcoutdcatchthe interestof touristsand promotethe
province.
Nextto the whatesharkin Donsol,visitsto Sorsogon's pristinebeaches for

sun,white sandand cool btuewatersare the usualhightights of tourismin the
region, However,signsof environmentaldegradationand cuttural isotation
manifestin areasheavilypromotedandvisitedby tourists.Thishaspromptedtocal
govemment initiativesto put a moresociatlyawarefaceto bannerecotourism by
promotingtravet with as much passionyet without putting the region'srich
heritaeeat risk.
Obiectivesof the Studv
. .The market research,in generat,aims to identify the types of ecotourists

that visit selectedecotourismsitesin the provinceof Sorsogon.
Specificatty,the studyis expectedto:

1. Determinethe demographics of the ecotourists;
2. ldentifytheir travel behaviorand motivations;
3. Surfacetheir satisfactionrate and preferences:
4. ldentify their economic,environmentaland communityinvolvementin the
sites;
5. Gauge their levet of knowtedge and invotvement in environmentat
conserva$on;
6. Determinetheir famitiarity with other parts of Sorsogon
and what can be
donein theseareas;and
7. Discusswhat preventsor hindersthem from exptoringother parts of the
Drovince.
Sicnificance
of the Studv
. The Lingappara sa Katusugan ng Sambayanan(LIKAS),Incorporated,

togetherwith the LocatGovernment Units(LGUS),
government
tine agencies
and
civit society organizationsin the provinceof Sorsogon,has devetopeoan
ecotourism ptanfor the provincein 2005.
Part of the ptan is the conductof researches on the identifiedexistine.

emergingand potentialecotourismdestinations, specificattyt; their ecologlcit
statusvis-d-visstate of being ,.green,',2) the characteristics, practicesand
motivations of touriststhat visit thesesites,and3) the supporttinkageindustries
or sectorsinvolvedin ecotourism.Resuttsof thesestudies\r/i[ serveas crucial
input for future programsand projectson ecotourism.lt is anchoredon the
principtethat a wett-ptanned and managedecotourism industryis an effective
strategyfor tong,termconservation of biodiversity
andsustainabli devetopment of
the communities.
Oneof the studiesto be undertaken is the marketresearch.

ldentifyingthe
distinct type of touristsvisitingthe provinceis beneficiatfor the p-tan-ning,
managementand marketingof tourism. Furthermore,the informationwitt attow
managersto addressdifferent motivations,experiencesand impactsof tourists
and to understandwhich tourist types are more [ikety to be found at different
stagesin the evotutionof tourismareas.l
In terms of potentiatsfor devetopmentand sustainabtegrowth, the use of

tourismtypotogyis neededto match tourismtypes to resourcecapabitities.lf the
provinceptansto maketourisma big factor for its economicgroMh, the kindsof
tourism,includingecotourism,shouldbe viabteand sustainabteover a tongperiod
of time.
However,tourism devetopmentshoutdnot only inctudeunderstanding the

supplybut atsothe demandsof the visitors. In tight of this, the foreseensolution
to turetouriststo other tourismsitesin the provinceshoutdtake accountthe need
to nichetourisminto what specificgroupof touristsvisit Sorsogon and offer these
touristsexacttywhat experiencethey want to pay for.
ScopeandLlmitations
Themarketresearch wasconducted in setectedsitesrepresenting

existing,
emergingandpotentialecotourism destinations.
It wasdesigned that muchof the
primarydata gatheringshatlbe donein Donsot.Thisis primaritydueto the fact
that muchof tourismactivitiesin the Drovinceare concentrated in saidarea.
Theseare the sameset of touriststhat the provincewoutdlike to seevisiting
othertourismsites.
The surveythat was conductedinitiatty aimedto cover 30 percent of

tourist arrivatsin eachecotourismsite for the monthdesignated
as the data
gathering phase.The2005dataontouristarrivatspersitewoutdbe the reference
pointsfor the numberof surveyrespondents.
on datagathering
Limitations for thismarketresearch
include:
: Duffus,D.A.and Dearden,P. (1990)Non"consumptive

witdtife-orlented
recreation:A conceptual
framework.EiologicolConseNation 53, 213-231
.
1. Visitors to be interviewed are those coming from outside
province. This js to ensure that the inform;tion to of Sorsogon
Ue la*rereo woufj
ctearly portray the target tovists fo, Sorsogon,ra ,ot iiri tZ.;t-residente
2. The.schedute for the data gatheringwas itt_timedbecausethe summer

Dreakwasa(readyending.Visitorsgoingto the setectedtourist destinations
were almostnit. Vacationgoerswere getting readyto go backto work and
studentswere preparingfor the openingof the regutarsahoolyear.
3. The whate shark seasonhad ended atready during the time for data
gathering.Majority of the tourist estabtishments
werj atreadypi*pa.ing to
temporarily ctose shop. The visitors interviewed were among the last
touristsfor the season.
4. The summerseasonhas ended and the rainy seasonhad started atready.

This accountsfor the difficulty in inteMewing at teast 30%of the tourist
arnvatsin eachecotourismsite for the monthdesianated.
I4ATERIALS
ANDiTETHODOLOGY
Sitqs Assessed.The market researchwas conducted in setected sites

representingexisting, emergingand potentia( ecotourismdestinations.primary
data gatheringwas carried out in Donsolwhere much of tourism ;ctivities are
concentrated.
Other sites identified as regutartyand substantiattyvisited by rounsts,as

per Departmentof Tourismrecordi, were inctudedjn the market research.
These
include the Mateo Hot and Cold Springsof lrosin, Rizat Beachof Gubat,
prieto Diaz,the ButusanVotcanoNaturatpark the
Ilngrovg and fish sanctuaryof and
ButusanMountainLake,the BatadingBeachof Sta. Magdatena, Tolong-gapo Oeach
of BaconDistrictandDancatan Beachof Bulusan-
. The visitor surveywas conductedduringa ten week period, from the tast
weekof May until the first weekof AugustJ2Ob7by the |-ur"ur.t iiur.
(54) tourists were inteMewed about their trip t; Sorsogon Fifty four
queJtions.about length of stay, motivations,expendituirepatterns inctuOing
frovirrce,
and basic
o€tnograpnrcs.
Figure 1 shows the distribution of interviews at selected tourist
destinations.
Figure 1: Distributionof InterviewsConductedat SetectedTouristDestinations
lvlangrc\e
&
FishSanctuary Donsolfol
110/o Whaleshark
RizalBeach \ bo/o
Dancalan
14Vo 18o/o
The breakdownof the numberof respondents

interviewedper tourist site
inctudedin the research
was:
. Donsotfor whatesharkwatching/interaction- 15respondents
. MateoHot& CotdSprings -
Reson,lrosin 8 respondents
. BatadingBeach,Sta.Magdalena - 10respondents
. Totong-gapoBeach,Bacon-8 respondents
. ButusanVotcano NaturatPark.Butusan- 1 resDondent
. Dancatan -1
Beach,Butusan respondent
. RizatBeach,Gubat-7 resoondents
. Mangrove & Fishsanctuary,PrietoDiaz-6 respondents
Datato be Gatheredand GatherineTechnique.Primaryand secondarydata

weregathered process.
in the research
Primarydata were cottectedfrom tourists, tourist guides and Key
informantsthroughinterviews.Thesocio-demographic
profite,includingage,sex
and profession/occupation
of the touriststo Sorsogon were characterizedthrough
interviewsand basedon the visitor surveyconducled.
Respondents were askedon destinationretatedinformationincludingpoints

of entry, duration of stay/travet, tour/travet costsand famitiarity with Sorsogon
provinceand the community. Focusedgroupdiscussions were conductedto verify
tourists'activitiesin the area, tourists'preferencesandfeedback.
Secondary data were cottected from concerned LGUS, tourism

councils/officers at the municipal and provincial tevels, visitors' centers,
managers/owners of accommodationfacitities, the Departmentof Environment
and Natural Resources,and the provinqiatPtanningand DevelopmentCouncil
(PPDO}
Thefotlowingdata were gathered:
DataNeeded Methodoloqv Sources

'1. Ecotourism
Site Profile data gathering Visitor's Centers, LGU,DOT,
Secondary
tocat NGO5,hotet, resorts,
DENR
2, Demographics Primarydata gathering survey, key informants

Secondarydata gathering Visitor'sCentertog book
3. TravelBehaviorand Primarydata gathering survey,FGD,key informants

Motivation Secondarydata gathering Visitor'sCentertogbook
4.Satisfaction Rate ano Primarydata gathering survey,FGD,keyinformants

Preferences Secondarydata gathering Visitor'sCenter{ogbook
5.Economic,Environmental Primarydata gathering survey,FGD,key informants

andCommunityInvotvement Secondary data gathering Visitor'sCentertogbook
6. Famitiarity with other Primarydata gathering survey,FGD,key informants

parts of Sorsogon and Secondary data gathering Visitor'sCenterlog book
suggeshons
for improvement
7. Hindering factors in Primarydata gathering survey,FGD,keyinformants

exptoringother pats of the Secondary
data gathering Visitor'sCentertog book
province
Processineof Data and Anatvsisof Results.Data gatheredwere processed
using basic statisticat procedures. These inctuded frequency distributions,
percentagesand measuresof central tendencies,Data were analyzedMth the
StatisticatPackagefor the SocialSciences(SPSS).Studyof the characteristicsof
touristswas basedon this. Datawheneverpossibtewitt be presentedusingfigures,
tablesandpie graphs.
The resultsof the FocusedGroupDiscussions, key informantinteryiewsand

secondarydata gatheringwere discussed in the presentationof resuttsand major
findings. opportunities were identified and gaps were determined through
assessment of data. Areasfor improvementand recommendations were inctuded
and discussed.The resutt of the researchwas presentedand validatedduring a
workshop conducted at LIKAS-RIDGElastOctober10-11,2007.
Brief ReYiewof Literature
Tourismis travelundertaken for pleasure.'As the largestbusinesssectorin

the wortdeconomy, tourismemptoys 200mittionpeopte,generates 53.6triltion in
economic activityandaccounts for onein every12or 8 %of jobswortdwide.3 In 4
out of 5 countries,tourismis oneof the five top exportearners.In 60countriesit
is thenumber oneexport."
"Ecotourism" representsthe fastestgrowingsegmentof the world travel

marketandas suchhasbeenaddedto the agendaof government ptanners,
Non-
Government Organizations(NGOS),privateinvestors
andthe tourismindustryas a
whote.Ecotourism beganin the 1990sandis groMngMth a rateof 20%to 34%per
year.' Precisestatisticson ecotourismare difficutt to determinebecause
ecotourismis frequenttycombinedtogetherwith naturetourism.
Definitions
of ecotourism
in useinternationatty
inctudethefoltowing:
']rveriam-Web6ter
Dictionarv
I MintetReport."EcoandElhicatlourisn-UK", October2OO3
rwortdTourismOrganization,
"Tourism,a Forcefor Sustainabte
Oevetopment".
19thOSCEEconomic
Forum,Prague,CzechRepubtic,June2, 2004
'Mastny,Lisa,TreasingLlghtty:NewPath6for lnternationatTourism,Wortdwatch
Paper159
(Washington,DCrWortdwatchInstitute,December 2001),p. 37
"Purposefuttravel to natural areasto understandthe cutture and natural history
of the environment;takingcare not to atter the integrity of the ecosystem,white
producirg economic opportunities that makes the conservationof natural
resourcesbeneficiatto tocatpeopte."(TheEcotourismsociety)
"Responsibtetravel to natura{areasthat conservesthe environmentand improves

the wetfareof {ocatpeopte".(TlEs,1990)
"NatureTourismthat advancesconservation".(WortdWitdtifeFund)
"Tourism that producespositive benefits for conservation,provideseconomic

benefitsto local communities,invotvesacceptablelimits of environmentalimpact
andis economicatty setfsustaining".(TheNatureConservancy)
Majorityof ecotourismdestinationsare dectaredProtectedArea. Protected

Areasare:
"ldentifiedportionsof landandwaterset asideby reasonof their uniquephysicat

andbiotogicatsignificance,managed
to enhance diversityandprotected
biotogical
againsthumanexploitation"(NIPASAct)
Assuch,ecotourism is consideredasa management tool in Protected Areas.
Asidefromcapturingeconomic benefitsto protectedareas,it canbe regarded as
an appropriatestrategyfor addressingthreatsto conservation targets.lf property
imptemented, it can becomean importantforcefor improvingretationsbetween
locatcommunities and the administrators of ProtectedAreas.And tastty,it can
demonstratethat tourismneednot be massive andecotogicatlydestructive.
Ecotourism hasthreebasicetements: environmental sensitivity,respectfor

locatpeop(e and cuttureand sustainabitity.
First,environmentaI sensitivityfocuses
on the naturator cutturalenvironment. The secondetement.resoectfor local
peopleand culture puts emphasison "learning" as an outcomeof tourists'
interactionwith the naturalenvironment. Ecotourism is saidto be "knowledge
tourism",wherepubticunderstanding is supposed to increaseMth regardsto
natureand cuttureand of thosetivingin it. The tast element,sustainabitity,
meansthe commitment or driveto ensurethat the integrityof the resources is not
compromised. The needsof presenttouristsand host regionor communities are
metwhile protectingandenhancing opponunities for the future.
Deemedan altemative,ecotourismguaranteesempowerment amongthe
locatcommunities.
Thetraditionatset-upof makingan areasuitablefor tourism
and teaching the residentsto adapt to such a change is reversed. Instead,
constituentsof the biologicattydiversenatural areasremainin their usuatway of
tiving, manningtheir sites, and directing activities that remain environmentalty
and cutturaltysustainabte.6
Attempts to identify tourist types have been catled segmentation,

ctassificationand ctustering.A variety of techniquesare avaitableto identify
ecotouristsor to distinguishecotouristsfrom other tourist types.TManystudies
consider tourists entering a particular site to be ecotourists.Other studies
consideratl touristsengagingin particutaractivities 8 or participatingin certain
toursto be ecotourists.'Some useboth site and activity criteria.
Ontya few studiesuse motivationalinformationto identify ecotourists.For

example,ecotouristsare respondents who:
. Answer 'very important' or 'somewhatimportant' to ,leaming about
nature' as a motivationwhenptanninga trip; and
. Answer 'very important' or 'somewhat important' to
'witderness/undisturbed areas' as an attraction when choosinga trip;
ano
. Mustspendat teast one-thirdof their vacationon 'safari' or equivatent
ecotourism activities-'"
Other researcherssegmentecotourismusing travel benefits and sociat

vatues.Someeven go furtber to distinguishsub-typesof ecotouristssuchas using
interest level and the degreeof physicatrigour to distinguishbetweenhard and
soft naturetourists.
Someof thesetourist typotogiesare hypotheticatin naturewhite somehave

been empiricattytested. Most rely greatty on the researchers'observationand
judgment of tourist behavioror sites visited to assigna tourist an eco-tourist.
Fewerstudiesusemotivationsto assistin this designation.Lastty,very few studies
'Ong, Jaquetine. 2007.Ecotourism in the Phitippines:

A SustainabteAtternative?at
www,birdwatch.ph
Etamey,R.K.andEraithwaite,V,A, (1997)A sociaL vatuessegmentation of tlE potentiat
ecotourlsmmarket.Joumalof Sustainoble Tourism5 tl).29-45.
' Caebattos-Lascurain, hl, (1991)Tourism,ecotourismandprotectedareas.parks2 (3), 31-j5.
'Diamantis,D. (1998)Consumer behaviorandecotourismprodu:ts,Annalsof TourisnResearch 25,
515-518.
'" Baltantine,J.L. and Eagtes,P.F.J,(1994)DefiningCanadian ecotourists.
Journalof Sustalnoble
Tourism2l1i, 1-6.
Masstourismor the 'sun, sand,sea' resorttourismhasnow"maturedas a
market"and its growthis projectedto remainftat. In contrast,,,experiential,,
tourism- which encompasses ecotourism,nature, heritage,cuttureand soft
adventure tourism,aswetl assub-sectorssuchasrural andcommunitytourism-is
amongthe sectorsexpectedto grow mostquicktyoverthe next two decades.ro
Theadoptionof ecotourism wasinfluencedby the growingenvironmentalconcern
in tourist destinations.Environmental degradationin the nature-richtourist
destinationsshoutdthusbe keDtto a limit.
'Wortd TourlsmOrganization.
"GtobalForecasts
andProfi{esof l.larketSegments,',
Vot7, Tourism
2020Vision,AladridrWTO.
2001.
1l
CHAPTER2
RESULTS
ANDDISCUSSION
Tourist Arrivatsin the Philippines.Tourismptays a big rote in phitippine

economy.lt is consideredto have a big potentiat for devetopmentsince the
Phitippinesis rich in untouchednaturey/ith more than 7,000istands,bis cities and
Dteasantclimate.
Comparisonof the data for the past three yearsshowsan increasingrate in

the numberof tourist arrivatsto the Phitippines.(Referto Figure2) Datafrom
2004to 2006establisheda 24.1 % increase.Basedon the latest reDortfrom the
Departmentof Tourismthere \/ere atready1,528,507visitorsto the countryfrom
Januaryto June2007atone.The countrycurrenttyregisteredan averageof atmost
200,000arrivatsper monthas comparedwith the previousyearswherein2OO,OOO
visitorsper monthwasrecordedthree times a year only.
Figure 2: TouristArrivatsin the Phitippines(sourcer

NscB,
Region
V)
3000000
2500000
2000000
1500000
1000000
50000()
+ No- of Tourists 2,291,347

For 2005,total tourismreceipts,meaningthe expenditures
of 2.3 mi[ion
tourists,amountedto USS1.99biltion.Froma 2,6%contributionto the countrv;s
GDPin 2004,the DOTtargetsan increaseto 2.7%this yearfrom an expectedi.6
miltiontourists.
TourlsmIn SorsoeonProvlnce
The Provinceof Sorsogonis located 600 kitometersfrom Lanila. lt has

irregularterrainwith rottinghlttsand scatteredplainsandvatteys.i ountainsare
posltionedatongthe northeast,southeastand western sectionsas Dartsof the
BicotVotcanic Chaln.Themountains aregeneraltygreenandwith tushforestwhich
aresanctuaries of rarefloraandfauna,
l3
Sorso_gon has manytourist destinations, inctudingits numerous beaches;
accounted for by its 336kitometersof coastl.ine.
Among-the founeentownsanO
the municipatityof trosinhasno shoretine.CeneraVa preasanr
31"--it_tf:
weamerls"lly
expectedyearround.
Majot:Touris!Atlrastions.Someof the mostpoputardestinations

-)orsogon andwhat
ls lamoustor inctude:
THE BUTANDTN6/ N HlLEi HAPKNATCHTN6 AA'D

TNTEPAC|TON IN DON9OL
Donsolis a coastaltown located51 kitometersfrom LegaspiCity. As an

interiortown,onetraverses - ''
the routeon longandwindingroads.
. .Thestar speciesfor Donsotare.thewhatesharks,firefliesand potentiatty

the.migratorybirds.A Visitors,Centeris estabtishea
aspin oi it" imptementation
of the whalesharkinformationprogram.
Whalesharkinteractionis the major activityin Donsot.Tourjstscan swih
-biggest
with thesebig fishesconsidered as the in'tne woriA.Ai-its'p.ax season
duringthe summermonths,as manyas so i-halestrarks .* ;;;;";in the waters
to feed on ptanktons,krilt and smattfish. However,,nr*ie ttra* inturu.tion
governed by regulations i,
to ensureminimumdisturbance. Eachmotorizedoutrigger
5 :1t9""9 only seven(7).tourisrs.Three(3) ..",n, ur. ir.ign"J pir boat: the
boatman/opentor, butandinginteractionofficer (BtO)and thi spoiter.a visitor
registersat the Visitor,sCenterwhereoneis orientedfint on ttie euiOeunes
watchingand interactingwith the whateshark.peak,.uion ir-i"U?uu.y tor
.o r*uy
eachyear. But the shore{ine is unsuitabtefor,-swimming alone.Oiheremergtng
ecotourism activitiesincluderivercruising.and fireftywatihing at nightat OgoAo;
-recom-mended.
?oTotoaylivgls. Likewise, during ctear nights,star gazingis And
ounng time, bird watchineis a mustwith a divercenumberof migratorybirds
feedingon the fishponds and,iangroueareas.
Thereare severatresortsatongthe beachtine, 16 homestays andone (l)

lodging.house
arepresentfor visitors';ccommodation, Locii restiirantsanorooa
estabtishments
are avaitabte for foodandcateringseMces.However duringpeak
seasons,thesefacititiesare saidto be insufficienlto cater to the markethence
manyvisitoBwoutdratherstayin hotelsin Legaspi CityandSorsogon Ciry.
t)
EITALBEACH
OF OUBAT
Rizal Beachwhich is locatedin Gubat,sorsogonoffers a wide expanseof

fine white sand beaches.The town is 19 kilometersaway from the capital of
Sorsogon.It is accessib(eby pubtic transportfrom SorsogonCity. Travetto the
town takes30 minutesalongwelt-paved,windingroad. lt hastwo wel.tappointed
beachsideresort hotets.The resortsoffer a wide selectionof accommodation for
visitors.Functionhattsand cateringservicesare avaitabtefor speciatoccasions
and
venue for big and smatl group seminars and training. Other recreational
facilities/equipmentsare avaitablesuch as basketbaucourt, biltiard tabtes and
boatsfor boating.
Major attraction is the fine, white sand beachesand cool waters for
swimming.Oneresorthasa swimmingpool for thosewho dislikeseawater. Nat.ive
cottagesare tocatedatongsidethe beachfrontfor swimmersand picnic-goersuse.
Notedecotourismactivitiesis the area are swimming,picnjc, boatingand surfing
whenthe wavesare relativetyhigh.
TOLONO-hAPOBEACHIN BACONDI|TPJCT
The Tolong-Gapo Beachin the BaconDistrictis locatedin a merety15-

minuteride from the centerof the city. Totong-Gapo meanst,threestones',, a
resortlandmark.lt offersa Long
stretchof fine whitesandbeach.
Severatbeachsideresortsoperatein the area.Theseresortsare comotete
with beachside cottages,madeof native materiatsthat are ideal for Dicnjcs.
Existing
resortsoffersmeals,widerangeof accommodation servjces
andvenuefor
meeting,seminars/training
andotherspecialfunctions.
activitiespromotedin Baconbeachincludeswimming
Ecotourism andpicnic
in its wideexpanseof resortgrounds.
The resortsat BaconBeachare amongthe favorite venueof different
organizations
andofficesfromneighboring provinces
for tive-intrainingdueto its
andproximityto the centerof Sorsogon
accessibitity City.
BULU6AAI
VOLANO NATUMTPAPK
The Bulusan VotcanoNaturatparkand Butusan MountainLakeis a favorite

destinationof mountainclimbersandnaturelovers.ft is OeiiireOi protectedarea
coveringaround3,623.29hectares,tocatedin the midstof ! ,,iniiiputitier.
covers.variousecosystems ft
includedgrassland,aquatic,forest and agricutturat.
Thevotcanoremainsto be activewith an elevjtionof S,OZZ feetiUovesealevet.
ButusanLaketies2,084ft. uponthe stopes
of the votcano.
The surroundingforest boastsof exotic ftora and fauna. lt harborsa wide
arrayof endemic,endangered and globaltythreatenedfauna.
Just severat minutes away from the BulusanVotcano Natural park is

DancalanBeach.SeveraIbeachsideresortsoperatein the area.
Ecotourismactivities around the park inctude trekking, kayaking and

boating,campingand picnic aroundthe lake area. Exptorationof the dipterocarp
forest and quiet commune with nature is encouragedfor peace, quiet and
interpretation.Ctimbto the volcano'ssummitis alsopossibteduringinactivity.
HOTAA'DCOID fPPINal(OFTRO(IN
Thespringsresortis locatedin BarangayMonbon, at the foot of the Bulusan

Votcano.lt is approximatety
1.5kitometersfromthe Mahartika Highway on partly
pavedroad.Therecreational areawith the poolsis part of the 6 hectaresmixed
agricuttura(
andforestecosystem.
Keyfeaturesinctudethe naturatspringscottectedin manmadebut rock
ftooredpoots.Thereare threepootspresentwhichprovidessetectionof different
watertemperatures ' hot, lukewarmandcotd.Thewatersare saidto be sulfuric
andis betievedto havemedicinaI powers.
Singte,doubteanddormitorytype roomsare avaitabtefor accommodation.

Pootside nativepicniccottages,showerand dressingroomsare present.A smatt
restaurantcum waiting/receiving area operatesinsidethe resortfor food. The
resortis opento functionssuchas weddingreceptions, paniesandworkshops. A
separate concretebuitdingwhichservesasa functionhall canaccommodate from
fifty to 150guestsat a time.
18
THEMANOPoVE,Al\)D
F'I6H6ANCII4AP,/oF PPIET)DW
(Coailal Env;ronn enffo ogran)
Thetownof PrietoDiazis tocated36kilometersandis morethanan hour,s

travelfromthe city of Sorsogon.
Themangrove andfishsanctuary
is tocatedat 2.5
kitometeBfromthe nationalhighway,atongunpaved roads.
l9
The site is a showcase
of mangrovebeachecosystemwith naturatmangrove
forest, mangroveplantation,Mde stretch of seagrass and protectedcoral reefs.
The marine sanctuaryis 2 kitometeBfrom SabangBeachwhich is the jump-off
point. A mangrovenurseryis tikewiseestabtished
within the site.
The modet program was recognizedas Best Community-based Coastat

ResourcesManagementProgramin 1998 by the United Nations Agency for
IntemationatAgency. lt has been a popular site among ecotouristsespeciatty
students of natural sciences,the academeand various NGOS,POs and local
governmentinterestedin coastalresourcemanagement.
Star species inctude about 38 species of hard corat genera with

predominance of Acroporaand Poritesspecies.Seagrassaboundand '16speciesof
mangrovethrive in the area.Whiteseabirds (egret)and seasnakesare part of the
witdtifesightings.
Ecotourismactivities being offered inctude migratory bird watching,

mangrovekayakingor boating,swimmingat Basudbeach,diving/surfing/corat
viewingat the HatabangLapiscoral reefs, picnic and/or campingand as a study
areafor peopteinterestedin coastalresourcemanagement and protection.
The site is managedby a peopte'sorganizationand hasvery basicfacitities.

A native houseand a campingsite are avaitablefor overnightaccommodation. A
nativestructureservesas areafor reception,orientationand dining.
THEPNOCECO-PAPK
The PNOCEco-parkcovers25,000hectaresof forest reservationsituated

within the boundariesof Legasp'iCity, SorsogonCity, BaconDistrict of Sorsogon
and the municipalityof Manitoin Atbay.lt is the site of the PhitippineNationatOit
Company'sBacon-Manito GeothermalPtants.The site is 13 kitometersawavfrom
the MahartikaHighway.
PNOC offersguidedtoursto varioussiteswithin the reservation.

Existing
hotetwithinthe siteoffersmealsandaccommodation services asweltasvenuefor
meeting,seminars/trainingandotherfunctions.
Theeco-park's star speciesare the golden-crowned ftyingfox, targeftying
fox andfireftiesatongmangrove areas.Sightingsof the batsareguaranteed.
The eco-parkoffersnumerous adventures

and activitiessuchas rocKano
wattctimbing,trekking,rappetting,
hot andco(dsprings,boitingmud takes,and
sightings
of exoticftora andfauna.Geothermaltechnology observation/tour
is a
must-seefor ecotourists.
Eco"campcanbearranged with the management.
otherfacilitiessuchasviewingdecks,hetipad,sMmmingpootsanddancing
pavilionare alsoavaitabte.Developmentof a nature-basedheatthand wettnesi
spa,to makeuseof the hot springs
andmudtakes,is currenttybeingarranged.
THEPIUFECTIVAL
ThePili Festivat
whichis hetdeverylastweekof Juneeachyearin Sorsogon
City cetebratesthe Piti treesandits numerous products.Thefestivatfeaturesa
week-tong seriesof cutturatactivities,productsexhibitsandconctudingwith the
incomparab(ePilistreetdance.
THE KA'AN6 6AAAHAN FECWAL
Kasanggayahan Festivalis the premierfestivatof the province.Heldduring

the tast two weeksof Octobereachyear, it commemorates the foundationof
Sorsogon as a provinceof the BicotRegion.Oneof its uniquefeaturesis the
dancingof the Pantomina (Dance of the Doves)
in the streetsof Sorsogon
City.
22
Arrival Performance.The data from the Departmentof Tourismshowsan
increasinggrowthrate in the numberof tourist arrivalsto Sorsogon
province(refer
to Figure4). Domesticarrivatsincreasedby 10.20% from 2004to 2005, white
foreign tourists increasedby 19.34%. Onty 3.2 % of the province'stotal visitor
arrivatsfor 2005are foreignnationats.
Figure 4: Visitor Arrivatsin SorsogonProvince(source:

Departrnent
of Tourism,
ReSion
v)
50,ooo
45,OOO
40,oo0
35,OOO
30,ooo
25,OOO E Domestic
E Foreign
20,ooo
15,OOO
'10,ooo
5,OOO
o
Year 2OO4 Year 2005
In the year2000,touristswhovisitthe countryweremostlyfromthe United

States(24%),fottowedby the Japanese (18.5)and on third ptacethe Koreans
(7.7%). Koreansthough,havethe highestincreasing trendof touristarrivalsto the
Phitippines.Themajorityof touriststo the countrythoughstitt comefrom North
America. Lookingat the visitor'scountryof residences, the top five foreign
visitorsto Sorsogonarefrom the UnitedStateof America,Germany, Japan,South
Koreaandthe UnitedKingdom. (referto Tabte1) Thesecountriesare undeniabty
progressive and rich countries.Peoptefrom thesecountrieshavethe necessarv
resources to pursuetravelwhetherit is educational
or for recreation.
Peakmonthsfor localtouristsare duringthe summermonthsof April and
Mayand teanmonthsare duringthe rainyseason.Foreigntourists'arrivatspeak
duringthe monthsof JutyandAugust.
Table l.TouristArrivalsin the provinceby Countryof
Resjdence:
2005
Source:DOT,RecionV
Countryof Residence-
TotalForeignArrivals
1,512
Asia
China 10
HongKong 11
Indonesia 2
Japan 142
Mataysia 1
Singapore 8
SouthKorea 118
Taiwan 76
Thailand 14
lliddle East
SaudiArabia 5
America
Canada 39
usA 393
Europe
France 52
Germany 206
Itaty 56
Switzertand 16
UnitedKingdom 87
Oceania
Austratia
Others 184
TogristArrivalsin Donsot.Whatewatching/interaction -irJmfrom January

occurs
- .. wilhpeak
:9-l.ay durins-the
summer monthsof fr,il il t;t. i0o4to 2006,
totat touristarrivalsto Donsolincreased
by Bg.il %lreferio fiiriely. Oomestic
visitorsincreased by 69.71%andforeignvr.sitonby 1j4.4
ratecanbe seenbasedon the threeye;r datagathired. %:,An;;;;e;$ng growth
data-rromtheDepartment
t*n,,fi'*"Jr1lliuli,,.f"1f3"Jl:l'::^1'::1!' or
:i:?::ft
**lilri,fi;i:filxF.r1;lilff T:1il#ff
ii?#":::,.;i:ll
tteg 5t Uriror Ard*t,
atTourism
office,Donsot)
3,500
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
Yoar2004 Yoar2005 Yea2006
Donsolis inctudedamonethc
:heDeparrment
of rourismnu; sitqsin thePhitippjnes
that
1T:t:'"1;
'rovrnce'
otn".a"iii"iii"n,
MountPinatubo
#:iJH::,.ff;:[n:;v"ffiT:i.,:.:ii.,il.".,""
";J1.1:u,"!glourists
pa.mttacan
in turo::_t-ql in-iloiiii.ii b'rieo rrtuno
ilou. However,whate shark intel in
lr"s.ol1,"u,on,,r,",ou,.lJ,iffi
dne to the resortsfor picnicandswimming "..., ..
j*lf ;
iTl"?,,,8"il:iiliT,.iJ,::*i";.":l
Or.ing*eufunOrl.
h &r . Datagatheredfrom
3T jHj:t*."'"'*.:Tt1$1"r,,A1'{ili:{i,1.::."q !T:"1rIX
thenumber
= svxph.,*ln;;;;,inrlJ"..;:(i:|"f,".jJ,!1i""r.,,n", orvisitori
io
2.5
VotcanoNaturalpark{Source: BVNP
Figuae6: VisitorArrivalsin the BuLusan Visitor'sCenter)
1,400
1,2@
1,000
800
600
rl00
200
0
Mayto Decemb€r
2006 January
to June2007
It was assumedthat atl visitorsto nationalparksare ecotourists,but

activitiesand motivationsof park visitoB vary widety.17 The crowdsof tourists
duringthesesummermonthscomefor retaxatjon,sightseeing, picnicandfishing.
Touristsduringthis time are trekkeB,bird watchers,naturetouristsandceneril
tourists.Theirvisit to the parkreliesprimarilyon the naturalenvironmeniforits
attractionandsettings.Peakmonthsfor domesticvisitorsto the BVNP aredurine
thesummer months of Apritto June.
A strikingtyhighnumberof loca(visitorswerenoticedduringthe monthsof
September andl,larch.Furthercheckwith the datashowedthat it is duringthese
monthswhen most schoots,organizations and LocatGovernmentUnits from
different parts of the country conduct their educationat/study tours. The
registeredtouristsduringSeptember andi archcometo the parkfor educationat
andleamingpurposes. Thoughthe interestin comingto the parkis educational,
the shortnessof the durationof staypreventsthe visitorsto realtyjnteractwith
naturefor "(earning"to occur.
r Chudjntra,S. (1993)NatureTourismProfite:
Thaitand.In J. Nerbnandp.B. Dur5t(eds)Nafure
Tourismin Asia:Oryortunities and Constrcintsfor Conservationand EconomicDevelopmenl
(pp.31-41).
Washington, DC:|JSDA ForestSeNtce.
Foreigntouristarrivalspeakduringthe monthsof Mayuntit July whichis
consistent
with the nationaltrendon foreienvisitorarrivats.
Visitor Data Cottection.There are probtemswith existingvisitor data

cottection
methods emp{oyed province,inctuding:
in Sorsogon
. Forvisitorsin Donsot,onlythosewhowi[ set out for whatesharkwatchinc/
interactionregisterat the Visitor'sCenter.Touristswhocometo Donsot
f-or
activitiesotherthanwhalesharkwatching/interaction areunaccounted
for.
. TheMunicipal Ptanning
andDevetopment Officesof LocatcovernmentUnits
haveno dataon the numberof touristarrivats.Theyon(yhavean inventory
of tourisminfrastructure
andbusiness
estabtishmentspresentin theirarea.
. For visitorsat the ButusanVolcanoNationalpark, grouptours, famity
reunions,office and schooleducationattours sometimes registeras one
entryonty.Accuratenumberof visitorsis not reftectedandDertinentdata
are sometimes missing
and/orvacant.Entriesearlierthanoctober2006in
the visitor'stogbookwerenot sexdisaggregated.
. Resortslocatedand operatingat the provlncehave different waysof
chargingentrancefees. Someresonschargeentrancefees per person,
whileotherschargefeesper useof cottage(s)
irregardtess
of the numberof
occupants.
Numbers of visitorsgivenareusuatty
estimates.
. Departmentof Tourism(DOT)staffgoesto differentsitesto coLlectdataon
occupancyfrom tourists'establishments.
However,accordingto reports
from DOT RegionV, these are not retiabte since manv of these
estabtishments
keeDtwo setsof records.
Dataon visitorarrivalsin the provinceareinaccurate.Therearegapsin the
cottectionmethodbeingemptoyed. Thoughthereis cteartyan increasing growth
rate in the tourist arrivatsto the province,the number may either be
underestimated or overestimated. Thisis dueto the diversepointsof entryto our
province,the tack of a provincialtourist registrationcenter and other
inefficiencies.
27
The Sorso{onTourisml,larket
Socio-demographic
Profile
sex and Aqe of Visitors.Surveydata showedthat visitorsto Sorsogon

provinceweredominated by mate,at 68.5%.(Please
referto Figure7) Thevisitors
interviewedfor the research
are young, andyoungprofessionats
mosttyteen-agers
andemptoyees.About30%are withinthe agebracket15to 24, white20 %are
aged25to 34,and33%betongto the agebracket35to 44yearsotd.
Figure7: AgeandSexDistribution
of Respondents
Age ot roapondents
1a
16
14
'12
10
numbcf
a
o
15-24 25-34 3544 45-54 55 &
up
age brackct
Profession/Occuoation.
Figure8 showsthe profession/occupation of visitoB
interviewed.The butk of the tourists are professionats,employees,cottege
studentsand businessmen.Thus,majorityof the touriststo the protnce haye
highereducationand betongsto the upperincomebracket.Thiswoutdhavea
bearingon the travelbehavior,motivationandtype of activitiesthat thevwould
favorandorefer.
28
Figure8: Profession
/Occupationof Respondents
12
10
qrv
"'".."/rd.a"t-"-':..."-".""."n
On the other hand, lookingat the mixture of the touristsinterviewed,the
tourist market of Sorsogon attracts and fascinatesa wide rangeof travetersand
visitors. Accordingty,this is the potential market that the provincehopes to
captureand enticefor its ecotourismindustrv.
Countrvof Residence. A{most60 %of the totat resDondents interviewedare

domesticvisitors or Fitipino nationats.Of these, 3.8 % are OverseasFilipino
Workersand Balikbayans.The remaining40 % of the respondentsare foreign
nationats.lt shou(dbe noted that the visitorsinterviewedwere randomtysetected
and yet the researchteam were able to interview tourists from Europe,Aia,
Americaand the MiddteEast.This cteartyshowsthat travetersto the phi(ippines
and to the provincein this case, are not timited to neighboringand nearby
countriesonty.The marketis untimitedand showspotentialfor a biggermarket.
Furtherdiscussionswith the foreign visitorsconfirmedthat the phitippines

js rapidtybecominga favorite tourist destinationbecauseasidefrom the wortd-
classtourist destinationsthat we have, travel here in our country is certainty
cheaperthan with other southeastAsiancountries.
29
Tabte2: Res dents'Countrvof Residen
ce
Countrvof Residence Percentaee
Domestic: 60.4%
Residents of the Philippines
Of FitipinoNationality 56.6%
Batikbayans 3 . 8%
Foreign: 39.6 %
united Statesof America 5
Canada 1
Germany 2
lre{and 3
UnitedKingdom 1
Scotland 1
Japan 1
Thaitand 1
'l
lsraet
Australia 3
SouthAfrica 2
Destination
Relatedlnformation
percent(61%)of the twenty-one

Pointsof Entrv.Sixty-one foreigntourists
interviewedenteredthe Phitippines
throughthe NinoyAquinoInternationaIAirport
in Manita.Surprisingty,
33 % saidthey arrivedvia CtarkInternational
Airportat
Pampanga, Centrat Luzon,white the remaining5 % entered throughCebu
Intemational (referto Figure9)
Airportat Cebu,CentralVisayas.
The avaitabitityof direct ftights throughcharteredptanesfrom other

hascontributed
countries to the increaseof touriststo ourcountry.
30
Figure9: Pointsof Entryto the Phitippines
Cbrk Intemational
Airporttr Cebulnlematinal
Airpodl
Isi\]AlA r
Entryto Sorsogon provinceis mosttythroughAtbayprovinceat 82%of the

fifty four respondents (referto Figure10).Thesearethosecomingfromthe Luzon
lstand.Atternative pointsof entryareMatnogfor visitorscomingfromthe Visayas
andMindanao lstands(4 %),whitevisitorscomingfromCentratVisayas
andMasbate
lslands entervia (4
Pitar %) and Butan(4 %).
Figure10: Pointsof Entryto Sorsogon

Province
oAlbay l
r Matnog l
O Pilar
tr Bulan
I NOanswer
Dlrationof Stav/Travel.
Foreigntouristsplanto stayin the phitippines
from
two to four weeks.Foreignanddomestictouriststo Sorsogon provinceintendto
travelfor a minimumof onedayto a maximum of oneweek.
Visitonto Donsol,
bothforeignandlocat,usualtystayfor two to threedays
in the area.Whatewatchingandinteractionat Donsolentaitsregistration at the
Visitor'sCenterandan orientationsession beforethe actualactivityis conducted.
Thereare timeswhen4 to 5 hoursof waitingat the openseasin the motorized
outriggerwoutdyietd no sightingsof the whatesharks.Henceboat ridesto the
openseasusualtystart early in the morning.In caseswhenthere are negative
sightingsof the animats,visitorsusualtytry againthe next day. This type of
visitorsconsiderthemsetvesas either bird watcheBor eco/naturetouristg.Thev
watchedwitdtife(notontybirds)andusualtystayedlongerin the site.
Visitorsto the Butusan
Votcano NaturalParksetdomstayedmorethana day
in the park.Therearevariousactivitieswhichcanbe carriedout andexDerienced
at the parksuchasbird watching,trekking,boatingandfishingamongothers.The
tackof facititiessuchas accommodation, food estabtishmentsand the neqessarv
supportservices neededfor touriststo staylongerandembarkon theseactivitiei
is the mainreasonthoughwhytourismto the BVNP is stittunsustainable.
Visitorsstayat the othertourists'destinations/sites
in the orovincefor tess
thana dayonly.Veryfew stayedan extraday.Timespenton thesesitesis from4
to I hoursonly.Thesetouristsarecaltedtravetersor generattourists.Thistypeof
touristsvisitthe siteto seethe "highlights"or majorattractionswhichmaybethe
scenery,waterfal(s,and the typical"sun,sandandsea,'reson.Thisshowsthat
majority of the visitorsto the other touristssites in Sorsogon are from the
neighboring communities andprovinces only.
Onthe otherhand,furtherscrutinyof the visitors,profitefromthe Bulusan
VotcanoNaturalParkandthe Mangrove Sanctuary in prietoDiazshowedthat the
visitorswere cottegestudents,membersof the academe,NGOSand Locat
Government Unitsfrom differentpartsof the country.Theycamein grouptours
andthe primaryinterestfor visitingwasfor educationpurposes. Thismarketon
educationtourismis a big potentialfor Sorsogon. The CoastalEnvironment
Programin Prieto Diaz, as an exampte,is haven for marine biotogists,
environmentaustsand peopteinterestedin coastalmanagement and protection.
However,tourismactivitiesshoutdbe designedto encourage deeperinteraction
andinterpretation
to make"tearning"moreinteresting, meaningful andsatisfying.
itiari Province the unitv. Commonto the
::T::*"1'-,i: ,,t need
llgyludg" auoG*rE pGceTiilE-iiiG e re arrivingto
Sorsogon.Traveter to be educatedbefore joumei
their inJiocats neeato
know-what is expected.l8 For both the traueters'inJ tire loiits, mutratry
beneficiaI
experiences
takeptace.
A greater part of the respondents said that they teamedabout the
ptace/sitethroughfriends,associates and retatives.person;ttestimonyandfirst
handexperience are stilt the mostpotentpromotionat too[. Butinflux of foreign
touristscanbe attributedto the presenceof intemetandwebsites.
At(of the visitorsto Donsotsaidthat it wastheir first time visitto tne area.
Neverthetess' not atl of the touristsinterviewedwerefirst time visitorsto the
province.Figure11showsthe sitesof first time visitto the provinceot the tourists
interviewed.
Figure1t: Siteof Firt TimeVisitto Sorso{on

30o/o
250h
200
15o/o
10To
5%
0o/o
RizalBearch Donsolfor Tolongcapo MateoHot &
Whaleshark Beach ColdSpdngs
Generatly,yisitors to the province are experiencedtraveters. They are

:y:T
about_"J.i9 T1: th9isnecessary
the destination
preparations
an jmponantpractjce.Responsibte
priorknowiedge
beioretraveting.
lcts increases
tne
13Mader,Ron.Defending
the Tourists,part 1. phneta Forum.at ptaneta,com.
33
enjoymentof the tourist and aids in the protectionof the host site's naturaland
culturat environments.Foreignvisitorsretatedthat they tearnedabout the ptacb
through the intemet and print materials like brochures and books. But
informationatmateriatslike this are ontyavaitabtefor Donsot.Thisbringsforth the
issueof weak promotionaleffort being given to the other tourist sites in the
province.Naturatty,awarenessis a basicetementfor name.recattand eventuat
choice.
PoDutarfirst time visitswere to Rizalbeachin Gubatfor 27 % , Donsotfor

25 %,the ButusanVotcanoNationatParkfor 13 %,Totong-Gapo Beachfor 11 %and
the MateoHot and CotdSpringsResortin lrosinfor 7 %.This can be creditedto the
fact that thesewere amongthe eartierestablishedtourist sitesin the province.lt
shoutdbe noted that major tourist activity even in the past was swimmingin
Sorsogon beachesand springs.lt is ontyat the BulusanVolcanoNaturatParkwhere
other attractionswere offered besidesswimming.However,these remainlargety
unexptoredand not maximized.
The tourists were atso asked on their interest in Sorsogonand its

communities.Figure 12 showsthe additionalinformation on Sorsogonprovince
that touristswoutdtike to know.
andInterestonSorsogon
Information
Figure12.Additionat Province
3% .-/o g localculture
.-Ks
-l__N
I people
tr wildlife(iora & fauna)
I nowunadveftised
fl
r
.."u
sites/discoleries
E development
plounce
in the
''," -!
0 dialect
A high 85.2 % of the touristssaid they are interestedin teamingand
kn-owing. moreaboutSorsogon province.Sinceecotourism is a communitybased
effort, the destinationis wherethe community shoutdgivequerespect
is. Tourists
-
to the existingsetupof the tocalcommunityits people,environmintandcuttural
significance.In this case,touriststo So6ogonshowed interestto interactwith the
localcommunities.
Educating onesetfaboutthe destination,prior to the trip, is an extremely
essentiatsideof goodecotourism practice.Learningaboutthe history,cutture,
tanguage and the naturalenvironment of the target destinationareaaidsboth
cu(tural interaction and appreciationof locat ecosystems.people in the
communityare morelikely to socializeif visitorsshowprior knowledgeabout their
D\ace.
Tour/TravetCosts.On{y5.5%of the inteMewedvisitorsarrivedto Sorsoson

on pre"arranged
tours.Therestof the touristswhohireda guidedid sowhentiey
reachedthe touristdestination/site.
Guideshiredarefrequanttylocalguidesfrom
the community.
A breakdown of costsassociated with the conductof a packaged

tour on
tand-basedecotourismin Sorsogon provincefor tourismstudentsis Drovided
below.The tour operatorwas from Albayand offerssimitarpackaged toursto
otheruniversities/co(teges
in the BicotregionandMetroManita.
Sitesinctudedin the trip werethe otd stonehousesin Juban.the Butusan
VotcanoNaturatPark,ChurchRuinsin Barcetona, RjzatBeachand the Fishand
Mangrove Sanctuaryat PrietoDiazwherelunchis served.Durationof travelwas
for onedayonty.Tourcostswerephp700.00per personinctusive of tunchat the
FishandMangrove Sanctuary at PrietoDiazwhichis managed by SEA,IANCOR, a
peopte'sorganization.TheinteMewedvisitorswerepart of a tour groupof gO
cottegestudentsand5 instructorsfroma universityin Legaspi
City,
Breakdown
of TourCosts:
(mini-bus
Transportation basedin Legaspii Php190.00
prietoDiaz)
Food(tunchc/o Seamancor, 250.00
Entrancefee (BVNP) 10.00
TourOperator 250.00
TotalTourCosts 700.00/oax
35
Basedon the packaged tour presented, onty28.6%of touristexpenditures
(entrance fee to BVNP andlunchat Seamancor) reachedthe province,specificatly
the touristdestination/site.Thetour operatorandtransportation, both basedin
Atbay,got 35.7%eachof the tour cost.Thetotat teakage on this packagedtouris
71.4%.A "teakage" is when an input for tourism is importedfrom outside of the
locatity.Increasingty,thereis reatizationthat ve^rytittte of the moneyspentby
touristsremains at or nearthe destination itsetf.'' A commonestimateis that less
than ten percent (10.%) of tourist spendingremainsin communitiesnear
ecotourism destinations.'"
As mostcostsare fixed for packaged tours' a highertour pdce or tonger

durationsignificanttyincreasesprofit margins.Approximatety 80%of moneyfor
att-inctusivepackagetours goes to airtines,hotels, and other internationat
companies.2r Thebutkof the profit goesto the touroperators, wherethe greater
percentage of the touristexpendituresgoes.Conversety, this reducesbenefitsto
the locatity.
In contrast,a breakdownof an averageunpackaged tour coststo Donsolis
shownbetow.lt shouldbe notedthat att of the inteMewedtouristsin Donsol
cameon unpackaged tour. The travet cost presentedbetowwas basedon the
amountof moneyspentby the respondents duringtheir stayin Donsol.Durationof
staywas3 daysand? nights.
of TravetCoststo Donsot:
Breakdown
Transportation PhD3.000.00
Accommodation 2,000.00
Food 1,500.00
Whatewatchinc/interaction& visitor'sfee 1,000.00
Totat 7,500.00/pax
t" Ljndberg,K.
\19911Poli.ies tor lAaimizing Nature Tourlsm'| Ecologicaland Economlc&enefits.
Washington, D.C.:WorldResoufces Institute.
'o Llndberg,K. and D. Hawkins(1993), Ecotoudsm:A Guidefor Plannercand lAanagerc.Notth
Bennington,vT.: TheEcotourism society.
'?r uhited Nations Environment Programrne, "Ecommic lmpacts of Tourlsm," at
, 1 ., . 1, ..; , . . 1| ; : 1' . . : . , ,. ":.. ..:::.:. i - ' M a r t h aH o n e y T A:
, I E S ", E c o t o u r i s m
Toot for Sustainabte9evetopment," worlchop on Ecotourism,condKted by Eco Tourism Society
Sri Lanka(ESSL) in Association with the TourismCLuster & the Competitiveness Programme/USAID
BMlCtl,Cotombo,Sri Lanka,November22, 2004
36
Expenses for handicraftsandguideswerenot inctuded.Lessthan10%of the
respondents gaveanswersto thesequestionsin the visitor'ssurvey,henceis
insufficientto comeup with a generalization. Basedon the above,67 %of totat
touristexpenditures (accommodation, food,fees)wentto Donsot.Eco-todces hire
andpurchase locattyandthereforeput a higher- sometimeas muchasi5 %of
money-into the (ocaleconomy.z2 In thiscaseahelongerthe duntion of the stayof
the visitor,the biggerwitt be the benefitsto the area.
Basedon the above leakagesfrom the tourism industry, the best

opportunitiesfor increasedlocalparticipation
andcapturingeconomic benefitsare
foundin the accommodation, food/restaurantandhandicraftsectors.At Dresent.
mostof the accommodation in the provinceare ownedby locatsand there are
atready16homestays availabteandoperatingin Donsol.With regardsto the low
incomeandsatesfrom arts andcrafts,Sorsogon hasto considercreationof arts
andcraftsthat wouldbe uniqueandoriginatto the provincein orderto havea
placein the market.Opportunities participation
for increased of tocatsin the food
sectoris on foodcommodities suchas vegetables,
whichat present,is purchased
fromoutsideof Sorsogon.
. The reverseof reducingteakageis increasingtourist spendingin the

province.To increasetouristspending, interventions
shoutdsupportprogiamsand
activitiesthat witt enticeyisitorsto staytongerandspendmoreduringtheir stay
in Sorsogon.Devetoping otheractivitiesandecotourismproductsand-sites
to visit
areconcretewaysto do this.
ilotivatlon,Preferences
andSatisfaction
Rating
Fye!-tscha!9rcld-Uqgla$en. From the fifty four tourists inteMewed,

onty29%travetedwith a guideduringtheir stayin Sorsogon.
Reasons for hiringa guideinctudenon-famitiarity with the place,safetyand

security,andbecause thisis their first time visit to the province.lrefer to Figure
13).
" tbid
and are often ignoredby atl exceptfor individuatsmatloperatoBwho dependon
this target groupfor their sourceof revenue.This type of touristsis mindful of
budgetand expenditures.Other touriststo the provincehad no needfor a guide
becausethey were staying with friends and retatives who are residentsof
Sorsogon.
Figure 13. Reasons

for Hiringa Guideon FirstTimeTraveLto Sorsogon
10 Oo/o
9.OoA
A.Oo/o
7 -Oo/o
6.Oo/o
5.Oo/o
4.Oo/o
3.Oo/o
2-Oo/o
1.Oo/o
A.Oo/o
Non-familiarity Safety and F irst time tralel
ro sorsogon
Onty5 percentfrom the respondents mentionedthe needto hire a euideto

improvethe trip. Theseare frequently studentsand backpackers.Stude;ts who
visit the provinceusuattycome as a group. Thoughthese educationaltours are
guided,howeveronly one or two guidesare employedon suchtoursor sometimes
the professors/instructors/teacherswouldtake the rote of a guide.BacKpacKers on
the other hand are catled trekkers. Trekkersor hikers are atso ,,indeDendent',
travelersand were motivatedby a variety of attractions,but mosttycutture and
the Locatpeopte. That is atsothe reasonwhy they want more informationabout
the sites so that they can exptorethe provinceon their own. For many rounsm
devetopers,backpackers are not a priority market-due to their beingseenas not
contributingfinanciatty.So far, few studieshave been conductedto Drovethis
DOint.
The main reasonfor the majority of visitorscomingand visitingSorsogonis

to seethe star species(whalesharkwatching/interaction)in Donsol.Thesevisitors
may either be bird watchers or eco/nature tourists. Birders are motivated
exctusivelyby birds and the witdtife.,3 Self-describedecotouristsor nature
touristsare motivatedby the naturalenvironment,b.irds,and wil.dtife.
As for the rest of travel in other parts of the province,visitorscome for

enjoyment,sightseeing and relaxation.Thesetouristsare cattedgeneraltravelers
or tourists.Motivationsof generaltouristsare varied, but concentrationis on the
scenery,waterfalts,and the hightightsof the sites,whichin this caseis the usual
"sun, sandand sea" resorts.

carried out by the touristsand the sites they visited. Birdersor nature tourists,
who were motivated by birds, the witdtife and the natural environment.as
expected,visited sites which offered nature"basedactivitiessuchas whateshark
watchingand interaction,forest trekkjng,bird watchingand river cruisingamong
others. Hikerson the other handwere motivatedmosttyby the Locatcutiureani
communities.Theywere independenttravelersand typicat(ystayedlongerin the
site to interact with the tocats.Whereasgenerattouristsusuattyvisitedihe major
attractionsand hightightsof the provincebut setdomstayedmore than a day in
the site. The choicesof activities and destinationswere retatedto, and resuited
from, tourists'motivations.
SatisfactionRate and Preferences.Touristswant their expectationsto be

satisfied. Some witt be demandingwhite others are not. The Visitor Survev
conductedon the provinceof Sorsogon reftectsa high rate of visitor satisfaction.
Forty-threevisitorsor 80 %of the 54 respondents expressed that the trip met their
expectationsand were very satisfied. Visitors, especiattythose coming from
Donsot,said that they were "reatty overwhetmed,',,,amazed,',the activitv was
"very interesting" and "one of a kind adventure',.Worth mentioningwere the
visitors' responsesthat reflected the receptivity and friendtiness of the
Sorsoganons. Visitorsatisfactionshowspromisefor increasedcontinuederowthof
ecotourismto the Drovince.
The remaining20 % were tikewise satisfied however suggestionswere

mentionedregardingthe avai{abitityof moreinformationabout the different sites
and to considerthe improvementof roadconditions.The state of the roacsmace
the travel tongerand very uncomfortabLe
for the visitors.
3 Hvenegaard,c.T. (2002)UsinglouristsTypoLogies
for Ecotourism
Research.
Joumdfol
EcotourismI 11\7-16.
As part of the visitor survey,touristswere askedabout their knowledgeof
attemativeactivities,suchas snorketing,diving, kayakingand mountainctimbing
amongothers, offered in the province.Most had no idea those activities were
possibte.A goodnumberof the respondents were awareonty of swimmingat the
province'snumerousbeaches,hot and cold springsand the atternative eco-
adventureofferedby whalewatching/interactionat Donsot.
Whenaskedif they woutdbe interestedto undertakeanyof theseactivities

if made aware of their avaitabitity, the tourists gave positiye responses.
"Experientiat"tourism- which encompasses ecotourism,nature,heritage,culture
and soft adventuretourism, as wett as sub-sectorssuchas rural and community
tourism-is amongthe sectorsexpectedto grow most quickty.This exptainsthe
preferences expressed by the tourists interviewed. Cutturat exptoration,
altemativeecotourismactivities,the seaand the springsstitl remainthe tourists,
favorites.But more than half of the visitorsatsoexDressed interestsin mountain
ctimbing,cave exp(oration,snorkeling,diving and kayaking.Tabte 3 showsthe
ecotourismactivitiespresenttybeingoffered at the provinceand the preferences
of the touristsinterviewedin the studv.
Table 3 : Ecotourism
ActivitiesOfferedand MarketPreferences
Activities Aware ahead Undertookat Woutdbe
of time the time interested
Altarnative/ecotourlsm 56% 43% 56%
activities
CulturaIExDloration 50% 35% 63%
Snorkeling/diving 44% 24% 50%
Kayaking 28% 15% 46%
ForestTrekking 28% 24% 40%
Mountain climbing/ Cave 30% 1 8% 54%

Exploration
Seaand hot springs 65% 57% 56%
RuralDevelopmgntExposures 24% 22% 43%
40
Activities Aware ahead Undertookat Would be
of time the time interested
Alternative/traditional 28% 15% 43%
Healing
The surveyresuttshowedthat mostof the touristsare younghencethe

increasinginterestfor adventuretourism.Theseare nature-based tourismthat
incorporatesan etementof risk,highertevetsof physicatexertionandthe needfor
speciatizedsktt. Activitiesincludekayaking,forest trekking,diving,snorketing,
and mountainctimbing.Theseactivitiesare avaitabteand can be arrangedin
differentsitesin the province.Kayaking, foresttrekkingand mountainctimbing
are offeredandcan be experienced in the ButusanVotcanoNaturatPark.Diving
and snorketing sites are presentin Pitar, Butan,most of the smatlislandsof
Matnog,Bagatao istandin MagatlanesandPrietoDiaz.
A fraction of the respondents even articutatedthe interest for novet
destinations and variationsfrom the usualtourist activities.ExDosures to rurat
devetopment andattemative/traditionat healingatsogot highratings.Sorsogon is
notedto havesignificantpresenceof operatingNon.Govemment Organizations
(NGOS),Peopte'sOrganizations(Pos) and Cooperatives.Each of these
organizations implements programs andpOects aimedat empowering the people
anddevetoping the community.LIKAS in lrosinoperatesa Centerfor Integrative
Medicine (CIMED). lt offersatternative
medicinelike acupuncture,acupressure and
traditiona(heating practices.Coordinationwith theseNGOS, POsandCoopscanbe
arranged for proposat to devetopthiskindof activity.
ProductAddedVatue.Thereare manyconsiderations for choosingproduct

especiatty
an ecotourism product.Asidefrom makingcertainthat alt aspectsof
the productareconducted impactpractices,
usingminimaIenvironmentaI it is atso
importanton howto addvatueto the product.Thisis of couBeto generatemore
revenuesfor the benefitof the community.
Att of the touristsinterviewedin Donsolsteptwithinthe areaduringtheir

visit. At presentthereare five resortsoperatingat Dancatan, Donsolandseveral
homestays areavaitable to accommodate tourists.Duringthe peakmonthsof Aprit
andMay,att the accommodation facititiesin the areaare futty booked.Atl other
supportsectorsandservices prosperduringthe whatesharkseason.
41
Thoughmajorityof the other touristsitesin the provincehavefacilitates
for accommodation, foodandotherservices, touristsseldomstayedlongerthana
day.Fot(ow-up interviewsshowedthat a portionof thesevisitorsarefrom nearby
provinces suchas AtbayandCamarines Surandstitt havetime to retumhomein
the afternoon.Other visitors,even foreignnationals,preferredto stay with
retativesor friendswhoare residents of the provinceor stayin So6ogon City or
Legaspi Cityin Atbay.Mth thisscenario, the touristsvisitthe sitesjust to seethe
"hightights" or must-see attmctionsin the destinations andnot as an experiential
journeywhereteamingandinsightsmaybe cuttedfrom.za Thismaybe creditedto
the fact that visitorsareunaware of the differentactivitiesavailabte andthat can
beanangedin eachof the touristsites.
Of the fifty-fourvisitors,58%saidtheydid not purchaseanyartsandcrafts
duringtheir trip to the province.On the other hand,an averageexpenditure
of
ontyPhp500.00wasreportedby visitorswhoboughtartsandcraftsfor souveniB.
Thelow incomeandsatesfromartsandcraftscanbe attributedto the fact
that arts andcraftsbeingsotdat souvenirshopsandstoresherein the
avaitable
provinceare atsoavaitableat otherprovlnces
in the BicotRegion.In comparison,
Atbayeven hasmore variedsouveniritemsand at a muchlowerprice.Touristsare
inclinedto buyartsandcraftsat Daraga,Atbayweretheycanbe obtainedevenat
wholesate pricefor bulk purchases.Sorsogonhasto considercreatingarts and
craftsthat woutdbe uniqueandoriginalto the provincein orderto captureand
havea placein the market.
Sorsogon is rich not ontyin naturatecologicalsitesbut alsoin proudof its
culturean_d traditions.Manycountriescontinueto equateecotourism with being
outdoors.'"Whethersuchmisdirection reftectsnaivetyor intentionalobfuscation
andconfusion remainsto be seen.To gaugewhetherthe visitorsto the province
are aware of the presenceof these cultural heritageand traditions,the
respondents were atsoaskedif they or their guidearrangedfor any traditionat
dancing, singing,heatingrituatsor anyculturatperformances duringtheir trip or
stayat the province.Resutts pointedout that noneof the visitorsnortheir guides
arranged for any of the above performances.
traditionat/cuttural Main reason
givenagainis dueto tackof awareness that suchactivitiesareavailabteandmay
bearranged.
'?4Navarro,
D.B.1998,FeasibiLity
Studyon a Community-based SustainabteEco-tousmlnthe
ButusanVolcanoNationatParkandSurfounding LXAs,lnc. lrosin,5o6ogon.
Communities.
'?5l,^ader.
Ron.Defendingthe Tourists,Part 1. PlanetaForum.at ptaneta,com
42
Oneof the findingsworthmentioning is the requestof touristsfor speciat
foodto be servedto them. Thirty-eightpercentof the respondents arranged for
foodto be servedduringtheir trip. Majority,asexpected,askedfor BicotExpress
andseafoodto be inctudedin their meats.Onetype of foodsurprisingty inctuded
asmostrequested wasstreetfood.suchas"batot".
Visitorsdo not aimfor consistency
hencetouristsarenot easilycategorized.
For thosemakinga journey,the timitedamountof time makesany interaction
significant.Touristsvjsit churches,marketsand othersignificantp{aceswith an
understanding that the chancemaynot presentitself again.Mixingup activitiesis
a wayof experiencing asmuchaspossibte andreactingto ever-changingstimutus.
Conservation
andEcotourism
Awarene5s
Conservation and EnvironmentalAwareness.Demandfor ecotourism

vacationsis dependent_
on the awareness of home-grown/tocat cutturesand
conservationconcerns.zo
Part of the Visitor Surveyis to gaugethe tevet of
environmentalconservation
andecotourism awareness of the tourists.
Morethan hatf (56.6%) of the touristsinterviewedwere awarethat a
nationalparkor a protectedareaexistsin Sorsogon province.In fact, everyoneof
thosewhoconfirmedof havingknowtedge of the presenceof thesesiteswasable
to visiteitherthe Butusan Votcano NaturatParkor Donsolfor the whaleshark.This
supports the eartierfindingsthat the touristsarewettawareof the ptace/sitethey
wouldvisitbeforeembarking on a travet.Thiscoutdpossiblybe dueto the tourists
doing researchand makinginquiriesbeforehandon avaitabteliteraturesor
informationregarding their targettouristsite.
Morethan hatf (53.8%)of the respondents againstatedthat hatf of thejr
vacationtime shoutdbe spenton ecotourism activities.Thisis reftectiveof the
trendson ecotourism evenin othercountries.Peopleor travelersspecificattyhave
demonstrated a risingintereston environmentatawareness. Thismaybe for the
reasonthat countrieswortdwidehavereatlyinvestedon educatingandinforming
the peopteon the presentsituationof our naturalresourcesandthe effectsof it;
misuseandexptoitation. Hencethe mountingmediaexposure to naturatresources
r Lindberg,(. andD. Hawkins(1993).E.otourism:

A Guidefor Planners
andl/@hagers.
Nor[h
Bennington,W.: TheEcotourism Society.
aroundthe world and the growingdesireto see natunl areasbefore they
disappear.
Based on intemationatconsumer demands. 20-30%of EuroDean travetersare
awareof needsand vatuesof sustainable tourismwhite 10-20% tookfor'creen'
optionsand 5-10%demand'green'hotidays.2T A surveyof U.S.,British;and
Australiantravetersreveatedthat 70%woutdpayup to 515-0 morefor a two-week
stayin a hotetwith a responsibteenvironmental attitude." In U.K.,87%saytheir
hotidayshoutdnot damagethe e-nvironment; 39%saidtheywerepreparedto pay
5%extrafor ethicalguarantees."Thisexptainsthe briskdemandfor ecotourism
vacationsand activitieswortdwide.Consequentty, seventy-four (74%)percentof
the touristsinteMewedin this study said that teamingabout natureis an
imDortantbasisor motivationfor visitor travelto anvdestination.
Visitor's Fees for Consenationand DeveloDment Activities.Question

numbertwenty-sixof the VisitorSurveyconductedas part of the marketresearch
askedvisitorsto Sorsogon question:
the fottowing
At present,not matryleveryfamily in the varioussitesin
the Provinceis beneliting from the arrivat of travelers. t o
locally managedfund were establishedfor communityweuorc,
would you object to o smallfee beingchargedas part of the
costof your isit to the site?
Whotwouldbe an acceptableamount?
The visitor survey resuttsindicated a high wittingnessto supporta

communitymanagedfund for communitywetfare. Of the fifty-four visitors
inteMewed,84.6%foundnoobjectionto a smatlfee beingchargedaspartof the
For thosewho foundno objectionto a sma[[fee
costof their visit to Sorsogon.
beingcharged,tocattouristssuggested an affordabteor minimalfee but gaveno
specificamount.Foreigntouristson the otherhandrecommended Php100.00fee
pervisitor.
':7HerbertHamete,Ecotrans,Germany,2004.www.ecotrancs.org
T Travetbiz,"creen is Goodfor hotetBusines5,
" Ontinearticte.29 August2002.
Referencing
http//www.travetbiz.com.au/artcles/14lOc010614.asp. lHEl,2002.
3 MORI,PackageHotidays,I,,{OR|,September2002.
44
Visitor'swittingnessto pay wasfoundto be hightysubjectuponthe fund
beingtocattymanagea andusedin supportof community wetfire. A targenumber
of respondents, particutarly
foreignvisitors,choseto point out the importance
of
the fee not goingto govemment agencies.Therewasa directcorretation between
the respondents' to payandthe community
wittingness asbeneficiary. Ecotourists,
as consumers,often support the importanceof tourism benefiting tocat
residents.30
An internationalsurveyrevealedthat more than two-thirdsof U.S.and
Austratiantravetersand 90 %of Britishtouristsconsideractiveprotectionof the
environment for tourists.3l
an importantresponsibitity Travetersarewittingto pay
morefor a stayin a site with a responsibte attitudeandinctuding
environmental
supportof localcommunities.
HinderlngFactorsfor VlsltlngOtherPartsof Sorsogon
55.8% of the respondents were unabteto visit other sitesand try the
variousactivitiesduringtheir travel due to lack of time (refer to
to Sorsogon
Figure14).Only6%mentioned aboutpeaceandsecurityprobtems asa hindrance
for exptoringother parts of the province. Other factors mentioned were the
impendingeruptionof the Bulusan Volcano,probtemwith transportationand lack
of banking
facitities.
Thelackof time to visitothersitesis dueto the lackof informationon the

othertouristdestinationsin the Drovince and whatotheractlvitiesare avaitabte
andis beingoffered on these sites. Tourists raretytravetfor simptisticreasons.
Theyareusuatlypreparedandgeneralty their itineraryis atreadymappedout and
arranged.Spurof the moment visit to a newdestination is not commonto first
time andfreouenttravelersalike.
Thougha marginalnumberonty of the touristsarticutatedabout the
securityprob{ems suffersfrom negativepubticityand
in the province,Sorsogon
imagebecause of its peaceandordersituation.lt hasbeena fact that numerous
kittingshadbeendocumented
extra-judiciat in the pastand remainsunsotved up
30 Lindberg,K. and D. Hawklns(19931,Ecotoudsm:A 6uide

lor Plannersand Al'artugers.
Nofth
Bennington,W.: TheEcotourism Society
3rThe InternationatEcotourismsociety. Ecotourr'smFdct sheet
45
to the present.Encounters
betweenthe mititaryandoutlawelementsaresporadiF
andunDredictabte.
Figure 14: HinderingFactorsfor VisitingOtherPartsof Sorsogon
600/o
50%
40va
30%
20o/o
10%
00h
1t 36ss E g.g €E
BE !EgE ,*EE ;€_i
[$ g-s;€ i"EE SEEE
.E;-- E e.5 Y
.E
We can presumeseveralreasonswhy the peaceand securitysituationwas

not considereda threat by the tourists interviewed.First, majority of tourists
interviewedwere not from Sorsogon provincehencewere unawareof the present
situation on peace and security. Second,the touristsmaybewere aware of the
insurgencyprobtemsbut they were assuredthat tourist destinationsare safe and
are usualtysparedfrom theseincidents.Third, there is the preconceived idea that
crossfireand fighting between mititary and rebetsoccur in the mountainsand
remote rural areasonly. Lastty,it was observedthat LocalGovernmentUnitsdo
not reatly hightightnor expressand report openlyprobtemsin insurgency.This is
to discouragenegativepubticitywhich of coursewoutdaffect the town and as a
result prevent the arrivat of tourists. Tourismdestinationsrmore so ecotourism
products,shouldbe containedand free from securityprobtemsthat cannot be
controtledby the management of the areaor [oca[authorities.Otherwise,the tife
and safety of the tourists would be at risk. Safety and security measuresare
integratconsiderationsin choosingan ecotourismsite.
Another factor mentioned was the problem vr'ith transportation..
Accessibilityis important for a tourism product to be viabte. The probtems
identifiedwith regardsto transportationin the provinceinctudethe conditionsof
the road, Thoughthere are atreadymajor road networks,these neededrepairs.
Travel time almost doublesbecauseof the road conditions.The roadsbecome
stipperyand are prone to accidentsespeciattyduring the rainy season.Another
concern is the avaitabitity and regutarity of pubtic transport. For most
municipatities,pubtictransportbecomesscarceduringnighttime. Forthat reason,
transportationbecomesexpensivebecausethere is a tendencyfor the public
transportdriversto askfor a higherfare duringnight time.
Visitors spend tess here than in other countries, Nonethetess,tourism

generatesforeign currency and emptoyment.Most tourists, especiallyforeign
nationats,setdombring cashwith them duringtravet due to the risk invotve.For
manytourismdevelopers,backpackers are not a priority marketdue to their being
seenas not contributingfinancialty.But manybackpackers carry credit cardsand
are witting to spend in the rural countryside.As to how much independent
travetersdo contribute,comparedto thosetakinga packagedtour or participating
in a conference,so far, very few studieshavebeenconducted.'r
Anotherhinderingfactor mentionedis the tack of bankingfacitities.There

are relativetya small numberof banksoperatingin Sorsogon province.Majorityof
the big commerciatbanks are strategicaltytocated at SorsogonCity and the
municipalitiesof lrosinand Bulan.Otherbankinginstjtutionsatsooperatein other
municipatitiesbut they are mosttycooperativeand rural banksthus somebanking
servicessuch as AutomatedTetler Machines(ATM)and on"tinetransactionsare
unavaitabte.
Visitorswere tikewiseaskedwhat other things they woutd tike to see or

experiencein other parts the province if given the opportunity to return to
Sorsogonin the future (refer to figure 15). Atmosthatf (48 %)of the respondents
expresseddesireto visit and experiencewhale sharkwatchingand interactionin
Donsolduringtheir future trip to the province.There existsa possibititythat a
proportionof these visitorshad visited Donsolatready.The data howeverwere
inconclusiveto point out how manyof thesevisitorshad atreadyexperiencedthe
eco'adventurewith the whatesharksand woutd tike to return to Donsolaeainto
undertakethe sameactivity for the secondtime.
t'?Mader,
Ron.Defending
the Tourists,Part1. PtanetaForum.At planeta.com
4',7
Twenty-fivepercent(25 %)saidthey woutdtike to visit the ButusanVotcano
Naturat Park the next time they visit Sorsogon.Several tourists mentioned
specificattythe activities they woutd tike to try and experiencein the site:
t<iyakingit the take, trek the mountaintraits, camp within the area and to go
fishingat the take.
Figure'15.Ptaces
to Visiton FutureTripto Sorsogon
n Donsol fofwhaleshaft
Presentations
tr Cultural
I I newsites/destinations
percent(14%)areinterestedto seeculturalpresentations
Fourteen suchas
and
traditionatdances,singingof folk songs othercultura[performances.Eleven
percent(11%)woutdtiketo seewaterfaltsandsceneries whitethe remainingtwo
percent(2 %)Mshedfor newsitesandunfamitiar/unexptored destinations.
3
CHAPTER
ANDCONCLUSION
SUMMARY
Basedon the resuttsof the VisitorSurvey,the averagetourist to Sorsogon

is.....
. youngrmosttyteenagersandyoungprofessionals
. mosttyfrom American,Europeanand AsianCountries
. independenttourist and travetsto Sorsogon v/ithouta guide
. has chosento visit Sorsogonmainly for the opportunity to experience
atternative tourism (whate shark watching/interaction), educational
purposeand recreation
. doesnot currenttyknowmuchabout Sorsogon but woutdtike to learnmore
especiattyaboutits cuttureand peopte
. staysan averageof 2 to 3 daysin Donsotand tessthan a day for the rest of
the tourist destinationsin Sorsogon
. saysthat hatf of their vacationtime is on ecotourismactivities
. dectaresthat tearningabout nature is an important basisor motivationfor
visit or travet to anydestination.

carriedout by the touristsand the sitesthey visited.The choicesof activitiesand
destinationswere relatedto, and resuttedfrom, tourists'motivations.
The main reasonfor the majority of visitorscomingand visitingSorsogon is

to seethe star species(whal.esharkwatching/interaction)in Donsot.These visitors
may either be bird watchers or eco/nature tourists. Birders are motivated
ecotouristsor nature tourists
exctusivetyby birds and the witdtife. Setf-described
are motivatedby the naturatenvironment,birds,andwitdtife.
As for the rest of travel in other parts of the province,visitorscome for

enjoyment, sightseeingand retaxation.These tourists are catled traveters or
generaltourists,Motivationsof generaltouristsare varied,but concentrationis on
the scenery,waterfat[s,and the hightightsof the sites, which in this caseis the
usuat"sun, sandand sea" resorts.
49
More than hatf (56.6 %) of the tourists interviewed were aware that a
nationalpark or a protectedareaexistsin Sorsogon province.In fact, everyone of
thosewho confirmedof havingknowtedgeof the presenceof thesesiteswas abte
to visit either the ButusanVotcanoNaturatpark or Donsotfor the whalesnarK.
Morethan hatf (53.8%)of the respondents statedthat half of their vacation

time shouldbe spenton ecotourismactivities and seventy-four(74 %) percentof
the tourists interviewed in this study said that learning about nature rs an
importantbasisor motivationfor yisit or travet to any destination.
55.8 % of the respondentswere unable to visit other sites and trv the
various actiyities during their travel to Sorsogondue to tack of time and
information.However,touriststo Sorsogon showedinterest to try the variouseco-
tourismactivities,inctudingcutturatand traditiona{performances, and to interact
longerwith the tocaIcommunities.
Lastty,the visitor surveyresultsindicated a high wittingnessto supporta

communitymanagedfund for communitywelfare.
CRITICAL
ASSESSMENT/ANALYSIS
This part of the report shatl focus on discussingthe strengths and

opponunitiesof the provinceand identifyingthe gapsand problemsretatedto and
concemingecotourismdevetopmentbasedon the marketresearchconducted.
Opportunities
andStrengths
. Presence
of NaturatandCutturalFeatures
Sorsogonprovincehasatl the necessary resources to embarkon ecotourism,

Thereare numerous existingand even underutilized and unexptored ecotogicat
sitespresentandavailabtein the province.Thewortd'sbiggestfish (whateshark
or "butanding")is found in Donsot.Numerous tourismproductssuchas church
ruins,the Butusan VotcanoNaturalPark,pristinebeaches,hot and cotdsprings,
mangroves, waterfattsandunexptored istandscanbe foundin Sorsogon. Duringthe
Mutti-sectorat
Seminar-Workshop on Devetoping an IntegratedEcotourism Ptanfor
Sorsogon Provincehetdat the LIKAS-RIDGE in lrosin,SorsogononJune16-17, 2005,
one of the outputswerethe tistingof existing,emergingandpotentialtourism
destinationsper municipatityin the province.Basedon the list, thereare more
emerging andpotentialtourismsitesthan existingones.(pteasereferto AnnexB
for comptete[ist). Therewere32 existingtourismproducts,35 emergingand27
potentiattourismsitesidentified.Threemunicipalities out of the totat fifteen
werenot abteto participatein the saidmutti-sectoraIseminar-workshop.
Sorsogonin addition is known for its fiesta cutture. Festivalsare
cetebrations to showcase how religion,cuttureand traditionsare wovenin the
peopte'sway of tife. Morecommontyknownas fiesfas,theseare hetdyeartyto
cetebratethe foundationof the town,city andeventhe provinceor to honorthe
feastof its patronsaints. Atmostatt the townscelebratetheir ownfestivalwhich
is anchored on a theme.Kasanggayahan Festivalwhichis the premierfestivatof
the provinceis hetd during the last two weeksof october each year. lt
commemorates the foundationof Sorsogonas a provinceof the BicotRegion.
The
Piti Festivalwhichis hetd everylast week of Juneeachyear in Sorsogon City
cetebrates the Pititreesandits numerous products.Overthe years,thesefestivats
havetaken a more uniqueapproachas each town becomemore innovative,
51
imaginativeand creative. Fiestasbecamemuch awaited occasionsthat bring to
forefront the pride of the tocal peoptebecauseit embodiestheir arts, talents,
resources,culture and traditions,This is one way of supportingthe preservation
and promotion of toca[ arts and cutture inctuding indigenousfolk arts and
traditional cultural artistic forms which are an integral part of locat tourism
devetopmentand promotionefforts.
Thesetourism activities and sites need to be further devetoDedwith the

considerationsthat the ecotourism product must be unique, cannot be
experiencedetsewhereand buitdson the strengthsand attractionsof the area.
The useof natural settingsand attractionsin a communityis a must but without
destroyingthe environment.
. Increasine
environmentat
awareness
and marketfor educativetourismDroducts
Countrieswortdwidehave realty investedon educatingand informingthe

peopteon the presentsituation of our natura( resourcesand the effects of its
misuseand exploitation.Hencethe mountingmediaexposureto naturatresources
around the wortd and the growing desire to see naturat areas before they
disaDoear.
There are severalreasonsfor increasingtocat communityparticipationin,

and benefits from, ecotourismdevetopment.Primarity,when residentsreceive
benefits they usualty support ecotourism, even protecting the site against
intrusions.lmprovedconservationefforts are anticipatedboth from the visitors
and the tocat residents. Ecotourism is supposed to increase the pubtic
understanding of nature,cutture,developmentand retatedissues.
Internationaltourists consider active protection of the environmentan

important responsibitityfor tourists. Travetershave shownto be aware of needs
and valuesof sustainabletourismand so they look for "green" optionsand demand
"green" hotidays^^whentraveting.Ethicattourismwitt rightty be a big issuein the
newmittennium."
Currenttrend in tourism put emphasison the knowtedgeabout nature and

cutturefor the onesinvotvedin it. The significanceof "learning" as an outcome
of tourists'interactionwith the naturalenyironmentis one of the major aspectof
ecotourism.Market trends show that presenttourists reatly favor, supportand
tt Tearfund,"Tourism' an Ethicallssue:MarketResearch
Report",Tearfund,London,Januarv20m.
chooseecotourism productsoverthe usuattourismsites.Increasingdissatisfaction
with traditionattourismdestinations
andproducts shiftedtravelers'oreferencefor
moreeducative andchaltengingvariation.
. Wide ranqeof tarset market and increasinqdesireto visit novel, chattenqinq

and adventurousdestinations
In 1990s,tourist arrivatsgrew at sevenpercent (7 %) per year.-However,

tourist arrivatsgrew gtobattyat ten percent('10%)per year since2003.'1Tourism
is a primaryexport or dollar exchangeearnerfor 83 %of dev-el.opingcountriesand
the teadingexportof one-third (1/3) of poorest
countries."lt is the only targe
sectorwhere poor countrieshaveatwaysposteda surptus.This can be attributed
to the fact that it is in these poor or underdeveloped countrieswhere a huge
portionof thesenaturaland unexploredareascan stitl be found.Furthermore,it is
atsoin thesecountrieswhere the presenceof rich cultural heritageand traditions
can be foundand indigenousfotk arts and ethniccommunitiesstilt exist.
Demandfor ecotourismvacationsis now increasingbecauseit hasprovento

be an appropriatestrategyfor addressingthreats to conservationtargets and at
the sametime demonstratedthat tourismneednot be massiveand destructive.As
a result, ecotourismdestinationsand activitiesare now the mostsought-aftertrip
for atl typesof travelers. The increasein mediaexposureto naturalareasaround
the wortd has resuttedin people's craving to see naturat areas and authentic
culturaland traditionatarts/performances beforethey disappear.
Ecotourism/nature tourism is growinggtobattythree (3) times faster than

tourism industry as a whote.36 Sun and sand resort has now "matured" as a
market. In comparison,"experientiat"tourism,whichincludesecotourism,nature,
heritage, cutturat, rurat & community tourism and soft adventuretourism, is
amongthe sectorson the rise rapidly at present. Eventravet to visit novel and
remote ecotourismdestinationshad postedan increasingtrend. There is atways
somethingto offer for everyone.
'" World
TourismOrganization.WorldTourismBarometer.January2005.p.2
ri Mastny,TreadingLightLy:NewPathsfor International
Tourism,Wortdwatch
Paper159
(Washjngton, DC:Wortdwatch Institute,December2001)
36WortdTourismOrganization, pressrelease,June2004.
53
. RevenueEeneration
The proposedprovincialecotourismframeworkis anchoredon Biodiversity

Conservation and SustainabteDevetooment.Ecotourismis a kind of tourismthat
conservesthe environment and improves the wetfare of the [oca[ peopte.
Ecotourismdevetopmentcoutd result to: (1) sourceof tivetihoods;(2) non-farm
tivelihoodopportunities;(3) educationand training; (4) enterprises;(5) cuttural
enrichment;and (6) improvedheatthcare,infrastructureand servicesto name a
few. Thoughconservationand managementof the naturatresources is the primary
goal in ecotourism,it cannotbe deniedthat it is seenas a movetowardspoverty
atteviationand reduction.
The expectationon what tourismcan giveis high.Tourismundeniabtyptays

a big part in the economy. In 20-04,tourism contributedgtobattyan estimatedS
5.49trittion of economicactivity." lt is consideredas the largestbusinesssector
in the wortd economy that approximatelyemptoys 200 mittion -people, and
accountsfor one in every12 or eight percent(8 %)of jobs wortdwide.'o
In Donsot,severalresidentshad startedoperatinghomestays wheretourists

can be accommodatedduring peak monthsof the whate sharkseason.The boat
operatorsand interaction officers for whate sharkwatchingand interaction are
tocals who had undergonetraining and are certified by the TourismCouncit.
Operatorsof the transport sector are mainly tocat residentsand severalfood
establishments haveoperatedatongthe tourist area.Ownersof the five (5) resorts
tocatedatongDancalanBeach,inctudingthe staff emptoyed,are att residentsof
Donsot.Servicessuchas massageare avai(ablewhereintocal masseurs are on catt
status. SeveralsouvenirshoDscan be found near the TourismOffice that offers
arts and crafts madeand producedin the province.
Ecotourismis seen as a tool for sustainabtedevetopmentthroughproper

management,protectionand conservationof naturaland cutturatresourceswhite
at the same time generatingjobs and businesses for the locat people. Local
residentscan be employedas tourist guides,boatmenor makehandicraftsto sett
to visitorsas souvenirs.Ecotourismfostering entrepreneurshipamongthe locats
can contribute to increasingproductivityof the peopte,economicdevetopment
and povertyreduction.
" wotto travetano rounsmLounctL.r ravetandTourismForgingAhead:Executi\€Summary

(London,2004ip.4.
It MinletReport,
"Ecoand EthicalTourism.UK",October2001.
. Possibtetinkinqof tourismproductsin the Drovince
opportunitiesexist to expandtinkageswith existingtourist sites and other

under-utitizedand emergingtourism destinationsin the provincewith tourism
potentiats.This is very important becauseas it is Donsolhasthe monoPotyof the
market. The chattengeis how to protongthe stay of tourist in Donsoland to
encouragethem to visit other ptacesin the province.
Each municipatity has its own unique tourism potentiat' However the
tourism potentiat is targely unreatizedfor several reasonsinctudinga tack of
coordinationamongthe different ptayersin the industry.One strategyseen is to
ctusterthe tourismproductsin the provinceand identify their niches.
whate shark sightingis not within Donsolonty. The gentte giantscan b€

observedin Pltar and Casti(ta,too' Besidesthe whate sharks,Donsotatso has
fireflies, severalfalts and a vast mangrovearea. Pitar in contrast boastsof its
agritourism,river cruisingand caves,white Castittahas Mtd duck.watchingand
diving sites to showoff. Despitethe fact that the three municipatitieshavetie
whate sharksas a commonproduct, each has its own unique potentiat tourisn
Droductsother than the whatesharks.This ctusteringcan create a tour package
whereinwhatewatchingcan be arrangedin Pitaror Castittawhite the interaction
is in Donsol.Logicatty,side visits to the varioustourism productsof each of the
three municiDaiitiesmust be inctuded in the itinerary. This approachwould
promoteand supportother underutitizedand unknowntourismproductsa\raitabte
in other partsof the Province.
The ctusteringof the products shoutd not be tooked at as setting for

competitionbut rather to comptementand supPtementeach other' Linkingof
tourismproductsin the provincewitt facititate and coordinateon-timeand quatity
deliveryof tourismservices.
andProbtems
Gaps,lssues
. tourismstructureandqovernment
Lackof tourismoDerators, visitorcenters
The mainditemmaon the part of the [oca[government is the lack of a

authorityandsufficienttymanage'imptementand
tourismstructureto administer
monitor an ecotourismprogram.Thoughsome municipatitieshave Tourism
and lackingin mandateto achieve
but they are usuattynot-functionat
Councits,
the purpose
of its creation.
Thelackof government visitorcentersis anotherfactorthat wasobserved.
Visitorcenters,wherevitat informationcouldbe obtainedandbe madeavailabte
locatedsothat touristscanhavetimetyaccess
to tourists,shoutdbe strategicalty
to tourisminformationwhenneeded.
Currentptayersin the tourism industry of Sorsogon are mostly tour
operatorsfrom Atbay. At present, onty a smatl percentage of tourists'
expendituresremainto the tocalcommunity. Mostof the profit goesto the tour
operators,where the greater percentageof the tourist expendituresgoes.
Convenely,thisreducesbenefitsto the locality.
. Mosttourismproducts throuehout
arenot operational/availabte the vear
Ecotourismin the province,to be viabl.eand sustainabte, shoutdbe

yearround.Theseasonatity
avaitabte of existingtourismproductsin Sorsogon is a
factor why the tourism industry in the province remains unsustainabte.
touristsusuatlyarrivein Jutyto August.Peakseason
Internationat for Donsol
whate
watching/interactionis fromMarchto May.Locattouristson the otherhandcome
duringthe summermonths,Visitorarrivatduringrainyseason is almostzeroat the
numerous beaches andresortsscatteredthroughout the province. Majorityof the
beachresortshad resortedto instatlingvideokeand drinkingbarsto generate
incomeduringleanmonthsso that theywon't temporarilyctoseshop.Tourismin
Donsolhibernatesafter the whatesharkseason; asa resutttourismestablishments
andthe localpeople, whetheremptoyed directtyor indirecttyareaffected.
Ecotourism'sentrepreneurial thrust sti(t shouldnot affect the customary

tivetihoodof the localsevenif they haveto adaptto the needsof the tourists.
Ecotourism is seennot to reptacebut ratherto supptement the incomeof the local
residentswhetherit is farmingor fishing.Localcommunities havethe tendencyto
be totattydependent on ecotourism astheir solesourceof income.Erraticevents
like seasonalchanges mightunfavorabty affectthe tourismftow andsubsequentty
the locaIeconomy.
56
. Not att destinationshavebasicnecessarv
facitities
Presenceand availabitityof visitor facilities and servicesis a major feature

of a viable tourism product. The expectationsof visitorsshoutdbe futfitted, and
preferabtyexceeded,by the activities,servicesand facititiesoffered.
Someresortand businessestabtishment ownersare insensitiveto the needs

of the visitors. Sometimesthe carrying capacity of the site is insufficient to
accommodate largenumberof touristspresentin the area. Facititiesshoutdnot be
exactly state of the art, but should rather blend with the naturat and existing
environment.Luxurioustourismfacitities might destroyand atter the atmosphere
thus precautionshoutdbe practiced in making renovationsand improvements.
Basic amenities shoutd inctude presenceof adequate ctean restrooms,safe
drinkingwater, cteanand convenientrestaurants,environmentfriendtystructures,
equipmentand furniture. Servicesavaitabteshouldconsistof medicaland first aid
facilities, fire prevention,safetyand securitymeasures,implementationof a sotid
waste managementand disposalsystemto name a few. Communication is stitl
tackingin someareas and accessto sites is sometimesdifficutt due to timited
vehicletrips. LikeMseto be consideredis the quatity and levelsof seMces and
facilitiesoffered.
Absenceof basicnecessary facitities may result to overcrowding,excessive

developmentand environmentatrisksand degradation.
. lnsufficientinformation.weakpromotionand marketchannets
An extremety important side of good eco-tourismpractice is educating

onesetf about the destination prior to departure. Learningabout the history
cutture, languageand naturat environmentof the destinationaids both cutturat
interactionand appreciationof locat ecosystems.Informationshoutdbe availabte
from libraries,tour operators,tourismofficesand visitorcenterson arrival.
Most tourism destinationsin the Drovince lack information materials.

Existingbrochuresneedto be updatedand improved.Signages where visitorscan
get basictourism informationon how to reach tourism destinationsare lacking.
Eventourismofficesand visitor centersdo not haveupdatedinformationmaterials
to hetpmakethe visit easier,moremanageable and hassle-free
to the tourists.
Touristscomemaintyto Donsoldue to the whalesharksand becauseit has

been heavity promoted tocatty and internationattywith assistancefrom the
a)l
DeDartment of Tourism. Donsolhad its shareof exposures in internationattourism
and travet magazines,tetevisiondocumentaries,write'ups in major nationaland
internationatnewspapers, and personaltestimoniesof satisfiedvisitorsto namea
few. Visitorsto Donsolneverthetess have littte knowtedgeon what other tourism
sites and destinationsexist in the provinceoutsideof Donsol.Furthermore,Yery
tittte is knownon what a tourist can do on a particutarsite. As mentionedin the
resuttsof the visitor survey,numerouseco-tourismactivities, inctudingcultural
and traditionalperformances,are avaitabtein other partsof sorsogon.However,a
targeportionof touristshad no idea that theseactivitiesare beingofferedand are
Dossibte.
Promotionsare activities that communicatethe merits of the tourism

productand therebypersuadethe target marketto visit or experienceit. The lack
of sufficientinformationavaitableto touristsis reftectiveof the weak promotion
and marketingof tourism destinationsin the province.Brochures,ftyers, tetra-
media (radio, tetevision,print and etectronic),and the internet (webpageand e-
news(etter)are examplesof marketingmateriatswhich needsto be improvedand
upgraoeo.
Linking with different tourism estabtishmentslike hotets, restaurants'

airtines,busand train terminals,tourist informationcenters'travet agencies,tour
oDeratorsand even through internet is one approach of marketing tourism
p;oducts. The absenceof coordinationand tinking with tourism destinations
ihrough market channetsis noticeabtein the provincethus delivery of tourism
servicesis more often detayedand uncoordinated.This is atso one factor why
timely and accurateinformationdoesnot reachthe tourists.
. Levelof socialand DotiticalsuDDort
Evenat nationaltevet,tourismplannersproposedthat for ecotourismto be

sustainabte,fewer interventionsshoutdbe made by the governmentsector and
more involvementin the private sector is encouraged.The probtemis actualty
potiticatin nature.The tevet of supportfrom the tocatgovernmentis dependent
on the officiat'sor administration'stenure.
Sinceecotourismis a communitybasedeffort, tourismdevetopmentshoutd

benefitthe locatcommunitysincethe destinationis wherethe communitycan atso
be found.The (ocatresidentsshoutdbenefit atsofrom ecotourismand not just the
resort ownersand tour operators. When residentsreceivebenefitsthey usuatty
supportecotourism,even protecting the site againstintrusion. However,if the
poputacebears the costs without receivingbenefits, they often turn against
ecotourismand might detiberatetyor unintentionatlydamage the attraction.
When, after a number of years, the residents in the community see few
improvementsexcept that a smatl minority has grown richer, questioningand
frustration erupts. It is important to gaugethe readinessof the communityfor
ecotounsm.
For ecotourism,emphasisis on the cooperationand coltaborationnot just

between the governmentand private sector but more importantty, \a'ith tocat
communities.Getting the cooperationof the communityis crucial and changing
the outtookof the peoptetowardecotourismdevelopmentin their areawitl not be
very difficutt if the objective is apparent. Ecotourismis basedon stakehotders
ratherthan the shareholders.
. Weakaddedvalueto product
Target goatsfor any tourism product shoutdbe to improvethe abitity to

receivemorearrivatsand to capturemoretourismrevenue.lt is alsoimportantto
add vatue to the product. This is of courseto generatemore revenuesfor the
benefitof the community.
Findingsfrom the visitor surveyshowedthat touristssetdomstay longeron

the different tourism sites except in Donsot,Locationof tourism estabtishments
such as accommodationand food services are far from tourism sites, in
consequence, occupancyrate is relativetylow. Avaitabtearts and craftsin souvenir
shopscan also be bought in Albay provinceat a much cheaper price and so
transactionsin this sectorare stow. Culturalpresentations and performances such
as traditionatdances,folk songs,rituatsinctudingtraditionatheatingare availabte
ho',vever,the tack of informationpreventedevery one of touristsinterviewedto
witnessand experienceanyof these.
To increasetourism revenues,adding vatue to existing tourism products

mustbe considered.Additionalthingsand ancittaryservicesthat can be offeredto
tourists,asidefrom the usuatand ordinary,must be incorporatedand as muchas
possibtebe providedby the tocal residentsand not be importedfrom outsideof
the locatity. Currentsituationof the tourist market in the provinceshowedthat
teakages occurand onty a smatlpercentageof tourist expendituresare left to the
communl!v.
59
Conclusion
Forty"fivethousand ninehundredandfony fiYe(45,945) touristsarrivedon

Sorsogonprovince in 2005,of whom one thousand five hundred and twelve(1,512)
areforeignnationats.Att of the registered foreigntouriststo the province visited
Donsotfor whateshark watching andinteraction.These figuresare consistentwith
earlierprojectionby the Department of Tourismwhichrecognizes the prospects
and potential of Donsot as an ecotourism destination. The tourist marketof
Sorsogonattracts and fascinatesa wide range of travetersand visitors.
Accordingty, this is the potentialmarketthat the provincehopesto captureand
enticefor its ecotourism industry.An increasingannualgrowthin touristarrivats
overthe nextseverat yearsis pOected.
tourismin the provinceis mosttymasstourism.However,

Existing emerging
marketfor nature-basedandeducation Most
tourismis apparent. of the to
tourists
the provincewereyounghencethe growinginterestfor adventuretourismwas
atsonoted. Unfortunatety,a goodnumberof the ecotourism sitesandactivitiesin
sorsogonremainlargetyunexptored andunderutitized,
A targe portion of the touristswere professionals, emptoyees, cotlege

andbusinessmen.
students Therefore,majorityof the tourists
to the provincehave
highereducation,are experienced travetersand betongto the upperincome
werereftectiveon the visitor'sPreferences,
bracket.Thesecharacteristics travel
behavior,motivationand type of activitiesundertaken.The choicesof activities
werere(atedto, andresuttedfrom,tourists'motivations.
anddestinations
At present,tourismin Sorsogon existsbecause of the starspecies in Donsol

(eco-adventure)and for the rest of the touristdestinationsin the province,for
swimming (masstourism)andsightseeing.Effortsto expandthe tourismproduct
in the provinceshoutdbegin with the appreciationthat there are existing
Dotentialtourismsiteswhichcan be developed.Opportunities exist to expand
with
tinkages other areas
under-utitized in the province
Mth tourism potentials.
A breakdownof tour operatorcostsshowsthat onty 28.6 % of tourist

expendituresfor a whotedaytouractualtyreaches the province.Asmostcostsare
fixedfor packaged tours,a higherpriceor longerdurationsignificantly
increases
go
profit margin.However,profit margins maintyto tour operators,conversety
reducing benefitsto the province,specificatty
to the tocatcommunity.
60
The whatesharkeco-adventure is the most poputarand visitedby both tocat
and foreign tourists. However,other sites of potentiat tourism remain under-
utitized. Numerouseco-tourism activities, inctuding culturat and traditionaI
performances,are availablein other parts of Sorsogon.Stitt, a targe portion of
tourists had no idea that these activities are being offered and are possibte.
lronicatty,basedon the study,there existsa marketfor thesekindsof activities.
61
4
CHAPTER
RECOMMENDATION
Target goalsfor Sorsogon'secotourismshoutdbe improvingthe province'

abitity to capture more tourism revenuesand receiving more arrivals on a
sustainabtebasis.The sotutionto ture touristsinto the provinceis to niche the
tourisminto more specificgroupsand offer the different market segmentswhat
experiencethey want to Pay for. Precaution,however, should be made on
maximizingthe resources without compromising and destrofng the environment,
to devetopecotourismin the province

Specificinterventionsrecommended
shouldstriveto:
f. imoroveDataColtection
Accuratevisitor statisticsis an important instrumentfor planningtourism

and ecotourismdevetopment.Tourist destinationswith a singtepoint of entry
offer opportunityfor cottectionof data. However,Sorsogonprovince,being the
last provincein Luzonlstandand gatewayto the Visayas,hasnumerouspointsof
entry. As such,data on visitor arrivatsin the provinceare inaccurate.There are
gaps in the coltection method being emptoyed. Though there is cLearlyan
increasinggrowth rate in the tourist arrivatsto the province,the number may
either be underestimated or overestimated.
Touristsideatly must register individuatty.They shoutdregister at entry

pointsor on VisitorCenter/slocatedalongtourist corridor.Theseare atongroutes
wheretouristswitt naturatlypassor travel whenthey visit Sorsogon.
Visitor data co[ection shoutd go beyond basic visitor demographics.It

shouldinctudegettingthe tourists' motivationsfor comingto Sorsogon, knowtedge
and informationabout the province,travel behavior (if they are with a guideor
not)Jptanneditineraryand durationof stay.
Ecotourismplannersand managersneedto look further than the guestbook
can be used,
that visitorsare askedto sign in tourism offices. Correspondence
includinge-mailand the tourismguestbook,to developpracticatsummaryreports
on tourists'commentsand recommendations for improvementsToo often officiats
neither consuttthis information nor deYelopany frameworkto incorPoratethe
comDliments into concreteaction.
2, devetoDfunctional ecotourismstructure and formutate Drovinciatecotourism

framework
The estabtishmentof a functionalMutti-sectoratTourismCouncits,headed

by a Tourism Officer, to manage, imptement and monitor the ecotourism
programs/poects from the provinciatdown to the municipallevetsis a priority.
An Integrated Ecotourism DevetopmentPtan for the Province shoutd be
formutated.This woutd serve as the basisfor the ecotourismframeworkto be
enactedand imptementedin Sorsogon,The EcotourismCodewould providethe
DO[iCiestO Overseeand monitor the tourism productsand ensurethat minimum
standardsfor the tourism industry are met. The ptan shoutd focus on the
differentiation and complementationof tourism potentiats in each of the
municipatiti es.
The ecotourismframeworkaimsat achievingbiodiversityconservationgoats

white providingsocio-economic
devetopmentto the locaIcommunity.Involvement
and participation of the communitiesin tourism devetopmentand service is
expectantand expected.
3. createproduct-marketmatch
The need to reatty know the target tourists or market segmentsis

imperative in marketing. Productpositioningwoutd dependon who the target
segmentsare. Creatingproduct-marketmatch is calted for becausethis woutd
cLassifywhat activities would "fit" to the target market segments.The "fit"
definesthe valueof the product.
Knowledgeof what the touristswant and look for in a tourist destination

are major concernsfor tourism ptanners.ldentifyingthe target market segment
providesptannersideason what activitiesare ideal and woutdbe favored.Young
touristswould Dreferadventuretourismand theseare can be foundat the Bulusan
VotcanoNaturalParkwhere activitiessuchas mountainctimbing,kayaking,forest
63
trekkingand the likesare possibte.Studentsand peoptedoingresearchon marine
ecosystems woutd took for educationtourism and the Prieto DiazMangroveand
FishSanctuaryis an ideal site. Thoseinterestedin exotic ftora and faunawoutdgo
for nature tourismand the BVNP,Donsotfor whale sharkwatching/interactionor
the PNOCEco-Darkare recommendeddestinations.Theseare but a few of the
Droduct-marketmatch which can be made based on existing, emergingand
potentiattourismproductsin Sorsogon provinceand the type of market segments
identified at the visitor survey. Emphasishowevershoutdbe on what witt work
bestin the areaand not just becauseit is a goodidea and a dupticationof other
areas.The ecotourismproductshoutdbe uniqueand buitdson the strengthsand
attmctionsof the area.
4. devetoDtour packages
Thereis recognitionthat very littte of the moneyspentby touristsremains

at or near the destinationitself. Commonestimateis that tessthan ten percent
(10%)of tourist spending remains in the community near the ecotourism
destinations.This is due to tourism teakagesthat occur. Severatapproachescan
be employedto deat with and reduce leakagesfrom existing tourism on the
province.
Accordingto the breakdownof tourist expenditureson the visitor survey

conducted,35 % of the presentedpackagedtour cost goesto the tour operator
based at another province. sadty, the tour itinerary does not merit reat
appreciationof the tourismsitesvis'iteddue to inapproPriatechoicesand the very
short time of stay altotted on the different sites. This practice is against
ecotourism'sfacet that encourages deeperinteractionand interpretationto make
learningmoreinterestingand satisfying.
Devetopingtour packagesis one approach to reduce leakages.Tour

operatorsfrom the provinceshould develoPand promote tour packagesin the
provincethat are appropriateand fitted to the target marketsegments.Whoelse
have more exDertiseon what is the correct itinerary but the Sorsoganons
themsetves.Tour packagesdevetopedshoutdmaketouristsstay longerand spend
more time in Sorsogonprovince.Longerstay would resultto an increasein tourist
spendingon the province.Pricingmust atso be competitiveto encouragemore
touriststo come.
Tour packagesshoutd be created for more specific students groups.

Examplesof these are packagedtours for students,young professionats,
nature
64
andevengeneraltouristswhojust seethe hightights
tourists,hikers/trekkers and
sceneries of anarea.
Considerations neededin devetoping a tour programor itineraryinctude
determiningthe ctientprofite,tistingof proposedptacesof interestto be visited,
durationof tour/stay,hotet/resortcategory(whenappticabte), detailson food
arrangement, activitiesto be inctuded,modeof transportation, guideor escort
requirementandavaitabitity of ancittaryservices.
what they
is achievedwhenthe touristsexperienced
Touristsatisfaction
exDected
andhadDaidfor.
Droductadded-value
5. increase
Oneof tourism'sgoalsis to increase tourismrevenue.one strategyto make
touristsstaylongeris to offertour packagesthat woutdprotongtheir stayandvisit
the other sitesin Sorsogon. The consequence of increasingvisitor'sdurationof
stayin the provinceis increasedtourists'expenditures,Visitorsareencouraged to
staytongerand obviouslyspendmore. Thinking of additionatthingsto offer to
tourists,other than the usual,mustbe incorporated to guarantee that leakages
areminimized.
Tourists,[oca[andforeignatike,desirefor tourismactivitieswhichnot only
satisfytheir eyesbut atsosupponandbenefitthe localcommunities. Ecotourists,
asconsumers, often support the significanceof tourism benefitingtocat residents.
Gettingthe cooperation of the community is imperativeandchanging the wayof
thinkingof the localstowardecotourism devetopment witl be easyif the purposeis
ctear.Thisis a situationwhereopportunities for tocatpoputation to participate
more in the industryas owners,operatorsand part of the ancittaryservices
throughdevetopment of the ski(lbaseof residentsso they can be professionalty
employed.Localresidents asguides,serviceproviders, createandsetthandicrafts
arebut a few examptes of addingvatueto the tourismproductin the area.
Povertyreductionis seenas an effectof encouragingentrepreneurship

and
participation
increased in the tourismindustryamongthe tocals.
6. devetoptourismproductsprofessionattv
Tourism products shoutd be devetopedprofessionattyto ensure quatity,

retiabitityand safety.This takesaccountof havingknowtedgeabte and competent
stakeholders and front line serviceproviders.
Trainingand capability buitdingto
managers,staff and other emptoyeesshoutdbe doneon a regularbasis.Training
and capabititybuitdingof communitiesfor serviceindustry is likewiserequired.
Customizedtraining for stakehotders- guides,hotet/resort owners,homestays,
transport groups,food catering and services,etc - is transtatedto improved
detiveryof tourismseMcesand tourist-readypersonne[.
Devetoomentof Darametersand standards for the assessmentand

monitoringof ecotourismproductson a regutarbasisis recommendedto ensure
the quatity and levetsof servicesand facitities.Accreditationof tourismproducts
and DeriodicrenewaIof accreditationis atsocattedfor.
7. imDrove
VisitorCentersandstrenethen andmarketchannets
Dromotion
Verytittte informationcanbefoundon whata touristcando andcanfind in
other parts of the province.FuttyequippedVisitor Centersare necessary
to
provideinformationto tourists.Thesecentersare wheretravetersare oriented
and educatedabout tocat rutesand customs.Theseefforts witl help resotve
probtemsbeforethey arise. Briefingmateriats,mapsand marketingmateriats
shoutdbeavaitabte in thesecenters.
A strongerand improvedmarketingand promotionof tourismproducts

shoutdbe prepared. Activitiesthat communicate the meritsof the touristsitesand
persuade the touriststo visit it are considerednecessary.Moreresutts-oriented
marketingscheme like catering to internet transactionsin bookingsand
reservations,improving/updating marketingmateriats- brochures,through
internet (webpage), tetra media(radio,tetevision,print and etectronic)- and
buitdinga strongtinkandcoordination with marketchannetsshouldbe considered.
A viabte businesssenseis neededfor ecotourismto be comDetitiveand
sustainable.
ral Parkand Donsot
interestto touri ich are currentI
Interventionsto improveeco'tourismdevetopmentshouldinctude, among

others, expandingtinkagesbetween the BulusanVotcanoNaturat Park and the
whatesharkin Donsolv/ith other existingtourismin the provincethroughimproved
visitor's accessto information, strengthenedmarketing and promotion, and
creationof packagedtoursto matchpotentiaImarketsegments.In this case,other
potentiattourismsites may benefit as we(l with the tourist inftow to Donsotand
thc BVNP.
Anotherimportant factor is improvingopportunityfor local poputationto

participatemore in the industry as owners,operatorsand part of the ancittary
seMces through devetopmentof the skitt base of residentsso they can be
professionally emptoyed.Thesewould consequenttyadd value to the ecotourism
product. Linking of tourism products woutd facititate coordination,improve
visitor's accessto information and a more efficient and effective detivery of
tourismservices.This woutd atsodeat with the probtemon seasonalproductsas
touristswilt be presentedoptionsto choosefrom with the avaitabitityof other tour
tourism sites and activities being offered. This woutd pave the way for the
provinceto receivemorearrivatson a sustainablebasis
Sorsogonhas a promisingfuture on ecotourism,howeverthe steps and

actionsthat the stakehotdersmake woutd decide the outcomeof the province'
gains. The challengeis for the community,the businesssector and the tocat
govemmentto promoteawareness, acceptanceand participationon ecotourism.
LISTOF FIGURES
FigureNumber Titte Paqe

1 Distributionof lnterviewsConductedat Setected
TouristDestinations 5
7 TouristArrivatsin the Phitippines 12
3 Mapof the Provinceof Sorsogon 13
4 VisitorArrivalsin Sorsogon
Province 23
5 VisitorArrivatsto Donsot 25
6 VolcanoNatural
VisitorArrivatsin the Bulusan
Park(BVNP) 26
7 Ageand SexDistributionof Respondents 28
8 of Respondents
Profession/Occupation 29
Pointsof Entryto the Phitippines
10 Province
Pointsof Entryto Sorsogon
11 Siteof FirstTimeVisitto Sorsogon 33
AdditionatInformationand Intereston Sorsogon 34
Province
13 Reasonsfor Hiringa Guideon FirstTimeTravet 38
to Sorsogon
14 HinderingFactorsfor VisitingOther Partsof 46
Sorsogon
LISTOFTABLES
Table Number Titte Paee

'l TouristArrivatsin the Provinceby Countryof
Residence:2005 24
2 ResDondents'
Countrvof Residence 30
3 Ecotourism Activities Offered and Market
Preferences 40
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J.L. and Eagtes,

Ballantine, ecotourists.
P.F.J.(1994)DefiningCanadian Journalof
Tourism2 (1), 1-6.
Sustainabte
Btamey,R.K.andBraithwaite,V.A. (1997)A sociatvatuessegmentation of the

Tourism5 (1\, 29-45.
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H. (1991)Tourism,ecotourismand protectedareas.Parks2
Caebattos"Lascurain,
(3),31-3s.
Travetgrows,Vital Signs2005(TheWortdwatch
Chafe,Zoe, lnterestin Responsibte
Institute).
Cohen,E. (1979)A Phenotogy

of Toursitexperiences.Sociobgy13, 179-202
S. (1993)Naturetourismprofite:Thaitand.In J. Nenonand P.B.Durst

Chudintra,
(eds)Nofure Tourismin Asio:Opportunitiesand Constraintsfor Conservation
ond
EonomicDevelopmenf (pp.31-41)Washingtn, DC:USDA ForestseMce.
Diamantis,D. (1998)Consumerbehaviorand ecotourismproducts.Annolsof

TourismReseorch25, 515-518.
Duffus,D.A.and Dearden, P. (1990)Non'consumptivewitdtife-oriented

recreation:
BiologicalConseNation53, 213-731.
A conceptuatframev'to(k.
Eagtes,P.F.J. (1992)The Travet motivationsof Canadianecotourists.Journal of

TravelResearch 31(2),3-7)
Hamele,Hebert. Ecotrans,Germany,2004.www.ecotrancs.org
Honey,Matha.TIES,"Ecotourism:A Tootfor Sustainabte

Devetopment,"Workshop
on Ecotourism,conductedby EcoTourismSociety sri Lanka(ESSL)
in Association
with the TourismCtuster& the Competitiveness Programme/USAID BMICH,
Colombo,sri Lanka,November 22, 2004
Hvenegaard,G.T. (2002) UsingTourists Typotogiesfor EcotourismResearch.

1 (1\ 7-16.
Journalof Ecotourism
Lindberg,K. and D. Hawkins(1993r.Ecotourism:A cuide for ptannersand
llanagers-NorthBennington,VT.:
TheEcotourism
Society
Lindberg,K. (1991,Policiesfor lAoximizingNatureTourism'sEcoloeicol
and
Economic
Benefits.Washington,D.C.:WortdResourcesInstitute.
Mader.
Ron.Defending part1. ptaneta
theTourists, Forum.
at Dlaneta.qqm
Mastny,Lisa,TreadingLightty:Newpathsfor Internationat
Tourism,Worldwatch
Paper159(Washington,DC:WorldwatchInstitute,December p. 37
2OO1]),
Meriam-Webster
Dictiona
ry
MintetReport."EcoandEthica(Tourism-UK',,
October2003
MORI,Package
Hotidays,
MORI,September
ZOO2.
Murphy,PeterE. (1985).Tourism:A Community privatemanuscnpr.
Approach.
Navarro,D.B. (1998).FeasibitityStudyon a Community-based
Sustainabte
Eco-
tourismin the Butusan
VolcanoNationa(parkandSurrounding
Communities.
LIKAS,
Inc.lrosin,Sorsogon.
Ong,Jaqueline. in the phitippines:

2007.Ecotourism A Sustainabte
Atternative?
at
www.birdwatch,ph
Seminar"Workshop
on Devetoping
an IntegratedEcotourismptan for Sorsocon
Province.
LIKAS-RIDGE,
Mahartika
Highway,lrosin,Sorsogon,
June16-17, ?005.
,, Onlinearticte.29 August
Travetbiz,"Greenis Goodfor HotetBusiness, 2002.
http//www.travetbiz.
com.au
/artcles/
14lOc010614.
asp.ReferencinglHEi,2002.
Tearfund,"Tourism- an Ethicatlssue:Market ResearchReport,,,Tearfund,
London,
January2000.
TheInternational
Ecotourism
Society.Ecofourism
FoctSheet
Programme,,,Economic
UnitedNationsEnvironment lmpactsof Tourism,,'at
'!.)r:..:.:.,:t::.:;..ja-..:.a,:j:.:..,::.,t:.,a.at:::a.......a....:....:.,...-.,...:it:.-..,..i..:,.j
WortdTravelandTourismCouncil,TravelandTourismForgingAhead:Executive
Summary(London,
2004)
WortdTourismForum,Prague, June2, 2004.
CzechRepubtic,
Wortd Tourism Organization, Tourism 2o2o Vision, at
!:::::
: | '.
: .:::.::j..: :::1.11 .:t::.:):
WortdTourism WortdTourismBarometer,
Organization, January
2005
WortdTourismOrganization,
"Tourism,a Forcefor Sustainable
Development".
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OSCEEconomicForum,Prague, CzechRepubtic,June2, 2004
pressretease,
WortdTourismOrganization, June2004.
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"GtobatForecasts
Vol7, Tourism2020Vision,Madrid:WTO,
2001.
A
ANNEX .VISITOR
SURVEY
the motivaUons and
The fottowing-ofinformationis beingrequestedto learn more abou-t Your
vjsjtor' to the Provjnceof sorsogonand specific sites wjthin.
"*oe|.j"nc"' *i r ihis surveyis greattyappreciated'
""itl.io"it"
Site:
Surveyf lnterviewerInitials:
(Pleasecheck):
BasicInformation
Gender Age
Male
Female
Profession/Occupation:
iShat is yourcountry/ptaceof originl a) Foreign:

Domestic - residents
of the Phjlippjnes:
b) Fjtipinonationat
c) Foreign natjonaL
d) Batikbayan
jn a) NAIA
L Whatwas YourPojntof entry the
Phitippines? b) Davao AirPort
Internat't
AirPort
c) CebuInternat'l
d) Laoag AirPort
Internat't
e) others,ptsspecify-
3. WhatwasyourPointof entryjn the a) Matnog
of Sorsogon?
Province b) Pitar
c) Butan(fromMasbate)
d) AtbaY
jrfthe -) Lessthana week
7. Howtongwittyoubetraveung
Phjtippines? b) 1 week
c) 2 weeks
d) 3 weeks
e) 4 weeks
f) others,specjfy-
i- Howmanydayswjtl youspendin the a) 1 day
of Sorsogon?
Province b) 3 days
c) 1 week
d) 2 weeks
e) onemonth
f) others,specify-
5. Howmanydaysdid Youstayin the
(porticularsite or placevisited-see
choices)?
a) Donsol for WhaleShark
not anacotd5prin8.lrosin
b ) r*a-teo
RizaIBeach,Gubat
o ) Mangroveand fish sanctuary,Prieto
Diaz
ButusanVotcano Natural Park and
Lake,Bulusan
f) Beaches of sta Magdatena Pts
specify_-
TolongapoBeach,Bacon
n ) Dancalan Beach,Butusan
tl
6. Didvouinow aboutlporticuLor site
before
or piocevisited seechoiggs)
iirivinCin tnePhilippines/Sorsogon?
a) Donsolfor WhateShark
b) MateoHot andCotdSpring,lrosin
c) RizaLBeach,Gubat
d) Mangroveand flsh sanctuary.P'ieto
Diaz
e) ButusanVotcanoNatural Park and
Lake,Butusan
f) Beaches of sta Magdatena, Pts
sPecifY-.
Bacon
Beach,
Totongapo
Butusan
Beach,
Dancatan
Tllowiia youfirstlearnabout
internet
\particularsiteor Dlacevisited'see
choicesl? D ) friends/associates
reading - books,magazlnes
materia[s
a)-Ton6tfor WhateSnark
b) MateoHotandCotdSPring, lrosin d ) reiatives/famities
Beach,
c) Riza( Gubat earUerbackpacking / accidentat
experience
di Mangrove Prieto f ) maps
and fish sanctuary,
Diaz c a n ' tr e m e m D e r
e) Butusan Votcano NaturatPark and h)
Lake,Butusan
f) Beachesof Sta Magdalena,Pls
specify-
Totongapo Beach,Bacon
Dancatan Butusan
Beach,
Others,PlssPecify.
8. What madeYoudectdeto come ano
visit lthe particularsite of ploce a) starspecles
visited)? b) for peaceandrelaxatjon
a)-To-rvolfor WhateShark c) for adventure
bi MateoHotandcotdsprjng,lrosjn d) vacatlon
c) RizatBeach, Gubat e) famityreunjon
dj Mangrove and fish sanctuary,Prjeto f) freshair
Dlaz naturalDea
e) BuG;-n votcano t'latural Park and h ; t f r ec o r n p a n y / tboe w r t hf r i e n d s
Lake,Bulusan i) Others
f) Beaches of Sta Magdalena' Pts
specify'-
Totongapo Beach,Bacon
n ) Dancalan Beach,Bulusan
r) Others,pLs sPecifY.
-
9, Howwouldyourateyourabltltyto Fiiipino Bikot
a) A tittte a) A tjttle
speakFjtipino?Bicot? bl lorle
b) some
c) Fajr c) f alr
d)Good d) Good
e) E^-etlent e) r\.elle.t
10. How manypeopteare you travetlng

with?
11. Didyou travetwith a 8ur0ecurlng
your first time in the Province? l,,l"lit'ou""hireyour
sujde?-
wherewasyourguidefrom?
()No
---Tot
yourdecisionto ToiraGf wiiF gulie to travelwith guide
tTWtrailnTtuenced jn biggroup
travet,(ornot to travet)with a safety& comfort a) traveung
guide? b ) N o n f a r n j t l a r j t y w ibt h) c o s t / b u d g e t
ptace c) not lnterested'wants
first tirneri n p l a c e to travetindePendentLY
o l other d) moreexcjtement
e) can't fjnd reaLguide
f) Noneed- with PeoPte
f a mj I i a rw ] t hp i a c e
g, uLrrqrr--
'13.over-aLt,howmuchmoneyoo You
expectto spendduringyourtravets or phP
in the PhjtiPPines?
T4. HowmuchmoneyhaveYousPent
duringyourvisitto Sorsogon?(Ptease
includeall costs) TransPort:
Accommodation
Guide
Food
Handicrafts
Fees
Others(Pts.sPecifY)
'13.Wheredid youtraveton yourtirst a) oonsot snart

roiwnate
lrosin
b) MateoHotandcotdSpring,
time in the Province?
Gubat
c, RizatBeach,
-
andfish sanctuary,PrietoDiaz
d ) Mangrove
Butusan
Votcano
NaturalParkandLake,Bulusan
f) Beaches ptsspecify_
of 5taMagdatena,
Beach,Bacon
Totongapo
n , Dancatan
Beach,Butusan
r ) Others,ptsspecify.
1 4 ,Wheredid yousleep? a) In a Legazpj

CjtyHotel.
a
b) In Sorsogon CityHotei
c) Withinthe area,pteasespecify
'15.Didyoupurchase anyartsandcrafts
durinq your trip? oNo
16.Didyouor yourguidearrangefor any Yes
traditionaIactivjtyto be performed a ) Dancing
especiaLtyfor yourtrip? o , Singing,
c ) Ritual,ptsspecify
d ) Heatingsession
e ) Others,ptsspecify
No
17.Didyouor yourguidearrangefor any O Yes
specialfood to be servedduringyour
criPT lf you can recall, what special foods you atea
) NO
18.Whatjs the strangestimPressjon you a) overwhetmed/amazed
haveof your trip? | b) verydjfferentfrom wheretheycamefrorn
c) interesting adventure
d) strange betiefs, practices andfabtes
e) everythjngis hard for the tourists,nothjngis
avajtabte andinstantlyaccessjbte
f) retaxjng, cootan nice
g) unexpected
n) nappy
j) sad
i) others
19. Didyourtrjp meetyour
expectations? ONo
20.Arethereanywaysthat yourtrip to Moreinformation aboutothersites
the Provinceof porticulor
Sorsogonl b ) Hireda locaL guide
sife coutdhavebeenjmproved? c ) Broughtappropriate clothing
(personaLpreparations,cLothing, o) Learned a tittte of the tanguaqeor diaiect
[anguage skilts,groupdynamics,etc) Travelledatone/in a group
f ) Stayedin [ocaIaccommodatjons
f\ 0thers, ptease specify
21.TheProvince
of Sorsogon activitiesandsitesfor
offersa wjd€rangeof ecotourism
indicate
visitors.Please
were aheadof time?
macleaware ()f suchopportunities
whether You
or, if you undertooksuchactivil:ies?
madeawareof their avaitabilitY?
Or, if you would have beenint 3restedif you had been
| - ^.- .ucrv v^lta aLlnlrFq RFI r
AwareAheadof lJndertook at the Time Wouldbe Interested
Time
( )YEs ()No ()YEs (lNo ( )YES ( )No
Activities
21.1Atternative/Ecotourism
(festivals,
ExpLoration
21.2CulturaL otd ()No
( )YEs ( )No ( )YEs i )No ()YEs
housesJ ( )YES ( )No ( )YEs ( )No
21.3Snorkelling/Diving ' ( )YEs ()No
( )YES ( )No ( )YEs ()No ( )YES ( )No
21.4Kayaking ( )YEs ( )No ( )YEs ( )No
Trekking
21.5Forest ( )YEs ( )No
( )YES ( )No ()YEs ()No
21.6MountainClimbing/CaveExptoring ( ) Y E S ( ) N o ( )YEs ( )No
( )YEs ( )No ()YEs ()No
21.7seaandHotSPringSwimming ( )No ( )YEs ( )No
ExPosures ( )YES ( )No ( )YEs
21.8RuratDevetoPment ( )YES ( )No ( )YEs I )No
i^n>l Ha:lind IIYES ( )No
22. lf lne answerto anyot tne tasr1 t Didn'thaveenoughtjme
questionsis NO.what U1Wasadvisedor heardof securityprobtems in the
orovince/site
hindered/ hindersYoua c) Theimpending eruptionof BulusanVotcano
d) Problem with transportationgoing
to tne sltes
e) Nobanking facjtjties/services
e) Theunpredictabitityof the weather
f) Others,PtssPecify
in tearning O Yes
Zt.mouG$u-beinterested jnformatjonwoutdyou be interested
moreaboutthe people'its cuilureand Whuttype of
variousftoraandfaunaof the in?_-_--=--
Province?
/)No
24. Howshoutdinformation aboutrne ElA;tAIture
provincebe madeavajlable to visitors? b) wiidtjfe- floraandfauna
c) the peopte
Oj otner new, usuatly unadvertised,newty
discovered sltes
e) development in the site/provrnce
f) the diatect
g )o t h e r s
a smatt O Yes
25, lf a VisjtorCenter,inctudlng
Iibrarv,videos,hjstorical exhibit,were
estabiished woutdyou O N o
in the Province,
|'- inrara<tad in ooins?
26. At present,not many/every ramlLyrn O Yes
the varioussitesin the Province ls
benefitingfrom the arrjvaIof
fund What wouLd be an acceptableamount?
travelers.lf a localty-manage
wereestablished for communitY
wetfare,woutdyouobjectto a smatL
fee beingcharged aspart of the cost ()No
of yourvisit to the site?
27.Areyoua\,r'arethat a NationatPark O Yes

or a Protected Areaexistsin the
Province? ONo
28. Foranyfuturetrjp in any ( ) Yes
destination,woutdLearning about a) Veryimportant
nature an imporlant basisor b) Somewhat lmportant
motjvatjon for coming? c) Not important but wouLdbe a bonus
O No,not interested
29.Woulda witderness or undisturbed O Yes
area be an attractjon when choosinga a) Veryimportant:
trip? b) Somewhat jmportant:
( ) No,not important
30. Howmuchof yourvacationtime a) At teasta third
shouLdbe on ecotourism activities? b) Hatfof the time
c) Evenontya fraction
d) Evennone
31.what otherthjngswoutd you like to a ) m a t t i n g
seeor experience in otherpartsof the b) socjal/cutturat eventsand presentatjons
Province of Sorsogon that you woutd c) Exptoring Butusan volcano,BVNP, Lake
wantto visitin the future? d) Exptore otherrivers,mts,falls,caves,irosinhot
spnngs,rizatbeach
e) experiencekayakinq, mountain and rock
ctimbing
f) a visitorcenter
g ) h a v em a p sa sg u i d ea n dr ] o ' e ' n f oa b o ust i t e s
h) Bikolexpress andpitj
i ) s L r i Ci m
t P t e m e n t a t 'oofns w i m r r ' . go u t f i t
j) butanding
k) otheratternative sjtes
l) goodroadsandinfrastructures
m ) .O t h e r s _
Thankyou
ANNEXB
and Potential
Existinc,Emereing Destinationsin
Tourism Destinations
ial Tourism i Sors Province
MUNICIPALITY Tourism Destination
Existing Emerqinq Potential
StaMagdatena BigoBeach LlangBeach Tataongan
Beach
BaladingBeach otangoBeach Beach
ALig-jgan
NewPort Resort UboFaus
PamanaResort
Bulusan Butusan
Lake Batatsa Uma BucoPass,Church
Eeach
Dancatan BulusanRiver Ruins/Baluarte
Masacrot
Spring Beach
Mitigabiga lnaradoEcoville
Matnog sublcwhite Sand . SabangBeach & . Moro Watch

Beach& Caves Cave
Tiktinglstand . Eddiesof Morong- . Padangcllff
Cabantiguian Borongan . Ban"banFatLs
Eeaches
Ljghthouse
PrietoDiaz . MangroveForest . Nagsuroccave . Toten tseach

. Dlamante . sto.Domlngo Beach, San
. PrietoDlaz . Bakawan (Sabang) Ramon
Eeach . Lebanon Beach,
. seagfass
reserve sanRamon
. I aritag Marine
Reserve/Fish
Sanctuary
Barcetona . 1874Church Blyong
Spring Uroc A l,,lahangot
. MangroveMarine Beach
catayucan Caves
Reserve/Fish Fabrica Mini,
Sanctuary waterfatts
Butan . Munting Paraiso . JapaneseTunnets . Angas Point

BeachResort (barangays Sta. (harbor)
. Sabang Park Remedios,Aquino
BeachResortand & Franclsco)
lrosin . Mateoflot & Cotd . Guest WorLd MapasoSpring

Springs Resort Mt. Jormalam/
. St. Michaet trekking
Archanget Fiesta . Botos Crystat
. Traditionat Sprjng
l,ledicine and . Eco-
Healers Garden/Dumpsite
MUNICIPALITY Tourism Destination
Existing Emereins Potential
Magattanes . Bagataolsland Gibaton5hrine Juban-MagaLLanes
. Tinacoslslet ParotaEeach
. Sta. Lourdes ForestReserve
Grotto
Casiguran orokSpring . NagsipitFatLs . Kang-gutan

Beach
Sorsogon
City Paguriranlsland . Tolong-gapo . Bato Caves,
PNOC-Bacman Beach Pinaculan ls(and
Rompeotas . DanaoLake . Alemoriat Marker
. Bucat"bucatan A Ruins at Si o
spring Pacdo(, Brgy.
. PepitaPark Capuy markJng
the otd town sites
DonsoI Whale Shark Nahulugan Fatts Eeaches, hotets

watching & SnorketingSite Kayaking, regatta
lnteraction AstilletoSite Leisurefishihg
River cruise A
firefty watching
Catundutan Point
Pitar PitogoBeach Inapugan Eeach . Astlletro/Shipyard

san JoseCaves Bantayan Beach Ruins,Pantatuan
SanRafaelBeach . Nabuntugan Lake,
PiotCaves Catamtangan
Castitta
Caves . Taraban Fatts,
Cubiano
. Spanish Chapet
Ruins,
Catamiangan
. Chapel of 5t.
Anthonv
Note: Tourishdestintionsof Castitta.Juban nd Gubat are notI inctuded
here.
(Source:Seminar-Workshop on Devetoping an IntegratedEcotourism Ptanfor Sorsogon
proYince, June16-17,2005)
C
ANNEX
Membersof the MarketResearch

Team:
TeamLeader- Ms.DorotheaB. Navarro,RND,MENRM

Tabon"tabon
SiadeetSubdivision,
lrosin,Sorsogon
Assistants'
Research
1. Guzman
Ms.AuroraR.Chavez-de
lrosin
Buenavista,
4707Sorsogon
z. Ms.Annabe(te
E.Dominguiano
lrosin
Bacotod,
4707Sorsogon

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MARKET

Forthe Foundationfor phitippine

Donsolis inctudedamongthe 32 key ecotouristssitesin the phitippinesthat

The purposeof this studyis to identify the typesof eco-touristscomingto

The recommendations containedhereinMtt be usedin the formationof an

The Visitor Surveywas abte to determine the demographics of the eco-

. lt was ctearty establ.ishedthat the sorsogonprovince can expec an

Tourists' motivationsshowedconsistencywith the patterns of activities

Ecotourism represents the fastestgrowingsegmentin the wortdof travet

Statementof the Problem

Mosttouriststo the BicotRegioncometo seethe MayonVotcano in Atbay,

Nextto the whatesharkin Donsol,visitsto Sorsogon's pristinebeaches for

. .The market research,in generat,aims to identify the types of ecotourists

Specificatty,the studyis expectedto:

. The Lingappara sa Katusugan ng Sambayanan(LIKAS),Incorporated,

Part of the ptan is the conductof researches on the identifiedexistine.

Oneof the studiesto be undertaken is the marketresearch.

In terms of potentiatsfor devetopmentand sustainabtegrowth, the use of

However,tourism devetopmentshoutdnot only inctudeunderstanding the

Themarketresearch wasconducted in setectedsitesrepresenting

The surveythat was conductedinitiatty aimedto cover 30 percent of

: Duffus,D.A.and Dearden,P. (1990)Non"consumptive

2. The.schedute for the data gatheringwas itt_timedbecausethe summer

4. The summerseasonhas ended and the rainy seasonhad started atready.

Sitqs Assessed.The market researchwas conducted in setected sites

Other sites identified as regutartyand substantiattyvisited by rounsts,as

Figure 1: Distributionof InterviewsConductedat SetectedTouristDestinations

The breakdownof the numberof respondents

Datato be Gatheredand GatherineTechnique.Primaryand secondarydata

Respondents were askedon destinationretatedinformationincludingpoints

Secondary data were cottected from concerned LGUS, tourism

Thefotlowingdata were gathered:

DataNeeded Methodoloqv Sources

2, Demographics Primarydata gathering survey, key informants

3. TravelBehaviorand Primarydata gathering survey,FGD,key informants

4.Satisfaction Rate ano Primarydata gathering survey,FGD,keyinformants

5.Economic,Environmental Primarydata gathering survey,FGD,key informants

6. Famitiarity with other Primarydata gathering survey,FGD,key informants

7. Hindering factors in Primarydata gathering survey,FGD,keyinformants

The resultsof the FocusedGroupDiscussions, key informantinteryiewsand

Brief ReYiewof Literature

Tourismis travelundertaken for pleasure.'As the largestbusinesssectorin

"Ecotourism" representsthe fastestgrowingsegmentof the world travel

"Responsibtetravel to natura{areasthat conservesthe environmentand improves

"Tourism that producespositive benefits for conservation,provideseconomic

Majorityof ecotourismdestinationsare dectaredProtectedArea. Protected

"ldentifiedportionsof landandwaterset asideby reasonof their uniquephysicat

Ecotourism hasthreebasicetements: environmental sensitivity,respectfor

Attempts to identify tourist types have been catled segmentation,

Ontya few studiesuse motivationalinformationto identify ecotourists.For

Other researcherssegmentecotourismusing travel benefits and sociat

Someof thesetourist typotogiesare hypotheticatin naturewhite somehave

'Ong, Jaquetine. 2007.Ecotourism in the Phitippines:

Tourist Arrivatsin the Philippines.Tourismptays a big rote in phitippine

Comparisonof the data for the past three yearsshowsan increasingrate in

Figure 2: TouristArrivatsin the Phitippines(sourcer

+ No- of Tourists 2,291,347

The Provinceof Sorsogonis located 600 kitometersfrom Lanila. lt has

Majot:Touris!Atlrastions.Someof the mostpoputardestinations

THE BUTANDTN6/ N HlLEi HAPKNATCHTN6 AA'D

Donsolis a coastaltown located51 kitometersfrom LegaspiCity. As an

. .Thestar speciesfor Donsotare.thewhatesharks,firefliesand potentiatty

Thereare severatresortsatongthe beachtine, 16 homestays andone (l)

Rizal Beachwhich is locatedin Gubat,sorsogonoffers a wide expanseof