SECTOML

STUDY

Asa Componentof the

ParticipatoryActionResearch
towardsDevelopinga
Comprehensive Sorsogon
Ecotourism
Plan

Preparedby

TheLingapparasa Kalusugan
ngSambayanan,
Inc.(LtKAs)

Forthe Foundationfor Phitippine

Environment(FPE),
Foundation
for a Sustainable
Society,Inc.(FSSI)
andthe
PeaceandEquityFoundation (PEF)

November.
2007
 Tableof Contents

Title Page

Introduction 1

TheResearch
Process

Results
andAnalysis 3-20

5ummary
andRecommendations 2 1- 2 3

Annexes 24-35
 EXECUTIVE
SUll,lARY
Whatmakesa destination suitablefor ecotourism? Wittthe Drovince
of
Sorsogon, particularty,makeit as a poputarandcompetitiveecotourism site?
Mth ecotourism asoneof the coreprograms of the newprovincial Government
thiscoul.dbecomea reality,especia{lywith the fact that aseartyas2005Locat
GovernmentUnits (LGUs),governmentline agenciesand civit socrery
organizationshave forged a commitmentto reatize this thrust. They
formutateda vision for ecotourismthat is basedon the principtesof
biodiversityconservationand sustainabtedevelopment.They aimed for
programs and projectsthat shoutdbenefitboth the rich biodiversity of the
provinceand the income and quality of tife of the communitiesand
organizations
that workto maintainit,
A studyon the laborand skitlssectorsinvotvedin tourism,or the so-
catledtourismUnkageindustries,was undertaken in Sorsogonand in nearby
Daragaand LegaspiCity in Atbayprovincefrom Juneto August,2007.The
assessment wascenteredon the tevetof sufficiency andquatityof the tourism
tinkageindustries.
Theindustries'hardwarelike the facititjesandutititiesand
softwarecomponents suchas the peopte,systemsand serviceswere tooked
into. Theresearch formedpart of a three-partstudy,the othertwo beingSite
Assessment andMarketResearch.

Thetourismindustryis a peopte.oriented andpeopte-powered busjness.

It holdsmuchpromisefor job seekersin Sorsogon with the industry,svaried
rangeof knowtedge and skiltsrequirements. The sectoralstudyshowedthat
thereare but a few tocalpeopleemptoyed in it. Thosealreadyin the business,
from the owners/employers, the managers, to the rankand fite, stitt tacka
basic understanding of ecotourism.Business-for-Drofit is foremostin their
minds,leavingthe etements of community ownership, participation
andbenefit
andenvironmentat conservation on the side.
With the businessthrust, then, one would naturaltytook for the
presence of soundbusiness practices.0n the contrary,the studysho/ved that
the estabtishments have been operatingwithout any strategicptans.For
example,business missionsand strategiesare not ctear and updated,the
emptoyees are not adequatetytrained,andsystems tikewastemanagement are
not wett-ptanned.Tourpackages havebeenverylimitedto Donsot with no little
or optionfor other culturat,historical,or recreationat attractionsoutsideof
Donsol.Tourguideshavebeenorganized andtrainedbut needfurthertraining
on management andtour guiding itsetf. products
like artsandcraftshaveoeen
designed in the "usual"way with tittle innovativeproductdevetoDment and
Dro-activemarketins.
 --, .^9: jn-u,Oo:niveside,travel the sitesis retativelyconvenient. Airports
ano .to
rerry terminalsare accessible, the roads iu"ri-Ji*d, uno uir_
conditioned vansandtaxi seryices a.e wett*ituateJin"r" d; #;;;;i
PhitippineAir Linesoffersa daity ftight ir"r-,f,firf. vicinities.
Pacific.has one ftight in the mornrngand a L"g"rp,'1n,," C"O"
airport,srestroomsand lounBins anotherin the afternoon.The

::i:g_qlilt,
requrres
;: ffi; t3;,i:,a.i.,.i,.:l:?i",H.jff
!ii|."'
urgent i"i:?':*,T:1,
attentionfor truu:t:1.-9lf9rt.fne eufanportfiai no
jl
aJea..forstrandedpassengers rounging
ano no.ctean.restrooms.AlthoughA^atnogpoft
lacttitiesare better than thosein.6utan,.
the municipalityof Matnog
'onenas no
organizedgroup to take care of istand.hopein;
ecotourismproductMatnogcan ofter. ;e;;;';;;J'], io"ur

Communication facilities are.avajtablebut

att. towns, tike the fax machine important. not all typescan be found in
-,,
ior a Ousin6i-trau"G.. *on"y
changing facitjtiesare practicattv unavailaute-
exief,i-j" so,l"e"=,;.
lrosin. For medicat needs. oha a,,v
town,/city
.",i"i,.
ir,.pioJi".ili1ffi;i:i ""0
Jl".#ili#iJir",,rT:Fi,.j'i",,1:
in sorsoson
city whiteao.to", iiinilr' *; il ;;il'"#i;,',n
municipalities
likelrosinandBulan .un*u,
au the sectorsstudied,the accommodation
,-,.._"jIl"C
Industnes areoperatineretativetvwe[ according and resraurant
the DoT.Amongthe ptacesin orovince,sorsoion to tte minirtilitandards of
andButanhavea sufficient ciiy, ir"rtn,-ijirui, srtrrun,
number of tourism_r!r"t"J
!it.orirn#"irl

^^_l!:_191!""i"g short-term,medjum.term,and tong_termintervenuons

-recommendations
are presented bv the provinciar
bovernment
andotherrocar
and*lJ:i,.:ffittt"*n
OnOperotions
andSerice Management
slOOgrtservlcesor the tourismtinkageindustries
,..-.f_!g
businesses for profit. For achievingquuti.ty,"rJ.*- arefirst andioremost
sustainable t*uia, uiiru.,,ng
f{owof touristsandincomi,ii i, importaniina-;E; '. u
k;,
I Develop areas and businesses
product/package according to one ctuster_one
conceDt
I Conduct StrategicAssessmen_t,and planning and Business ptanning per
sector and ensure sectol
coordination,executionof :l--:n9 ,geographicat integration and
ptans and mobitizationof supportand
resources
I Facilitateecotourism awareness raisingand capability
-tour' buitdingfor the
especiauyon Enstish
::11^.f-?r.c5.
marnsrreaming, ..proii.iun.y, ;;l;;;: g""d",
andotherneededskiits for ecoiourism irZriiii3l
 r Devetop a pro-active communication program to make
aware of and be interestedin the ecotourism
customers/tourists
pacKages
r Reviewandensurecomptiance of the businesses with the
and services
andLaborCodes
Fire,Sanitation,
on EcotourismPromotion
Forthe ecotourismphitosophy to gainground,the fottowingproposats
are
to provincialecotourism
presented stakehotders:

r Intensiveawarenessraisingon ecotourism,its core principtesand

conservation values,waste disposat,minimizingwater and energy
consumption, andgreentechnotogies
r Institutionatize tocal communityparticipationin the decision-making
process, fromconceptuatizationto imptementation andcontrot
I lmprovelocalparticipation andownership like throughthe artsand
crafts,communatty- ownedand-runenterprises, andevenhome-stay
servicedevelopment and partnership
estabtish agreements between
community andprivatepartners/owners
t Connectintended actions with poverty atleviationmeasureslike
cooperative formation,locaIsourcingandemptoyment
I lmprovetocalproductdevetopment (handicrafts,arts and crafts,local
cuisine)to reftect areas' cutture and creativity without depteting
culturatresources anddevatuingthem
r Conduct furtherstudyon cutturalexperiences' historicandheritage
attractions, andrecreationalactivities
r Establish andmakefunctionalcoordinative bodiesandmechanisms
 lntroduction

In 2005, LII(ASspearheadeda gatheringof representativesfrom Locat

GovernmentUnits (LGUs),governmenttine agenciesand civit society
organizationsfor the devetopmentof an integrated ecotourismptan for the
Sorsogon province.The representatives
formulateda visionfor ecotourismthat
is based on the principtes of biodiversity conservationand sustainable
devetopment.The programs and projects shoutd benefit both the rich
biodiversity of the province and the income and quatity of tife of the
communities and organizations
that work to maintainit. To achievethis vision
requiredretiabteand retevantresearcheson the ecotourismdestinations.

One of the researchesis on the labor and skitts sectorsinvotvedin

tourism,or the so-catted
tourismLinkage industries.The researchentaitsthe
inventory of existing hotets, restaurants, home-stay providers, resorts,
transport/communjcation, heatth services, financing institutions, travet
agencies,andtour operators
andthe assessment of their needs,

The researchprocesswas undertakenin Sorsogon and in nearbyDaraga

and LegaspiCity in Atbayprovincefrom Juneto August,2007.The assessment
was centeredon the level of sufficiencyand quatity of the tourism linkage
industries.
Theindustries'hardwaretikethe facititiesandutititiesandsoftware
componentssuch as the people, systemsand serviceswere looked into.
Requirement-based Tecommendations formedpartof the reportwhichinctuded
capacity buitding, operations and service management,and ecotourism
marketing.The information generatedwas presentedto locat and natjonal
tourismstakehotders in a ProvincialVatidationand PtanningWorkshopin
October,whereover-atlrecommendations for tourjsmdevetopment embracing
the principLesof ecotourjsm or sustainabtetourism were discussedand
aDDroved,

The researchwas jojntty funded by the Foundationfor PhiLippine

Environment (FPE),the Peaceand EquityFoundation
(PEF)andthe Foundation
for a Sustainabte
Society,Inc.(FSsl).

The ResearchProcess

Ohjectives
The researchbasicattyaimed to providean anatysisof severattourism
linkageindustrieslocated in the Provinceand in the nearbyareasof Daraga
and LegaspiCity.

SpecificatLy,
the studyintendedto:

1. ldentifyskiltsand taborinvotvedin the ecotourismsector;

 Determineits tevetof sufficiencyand quatity;and,
3 . Surfacewhat the gapsare.
Research
Setting

The sectoralstudycovered9 out of the 12 areasfor the site Asessmenr

component of the Participatory Action Research towards DeveLopingo
Comprehensive SorsogonEcotourismPlan. The sites are existing ecotourism
destinations.Estabtishments (ocatedin or within the vicinjtiesof emergingand
potentiatdestinationswere automaticaltyinctudedsincemanyof theseservices
and estabtishments are locatedin the town properwhere travet to atmostall
destinationsstarts.

DataCo\ection

Primaryand secondarydata gatheringwere emptoyedin the research

process.Secondarydata were gathered from the LGU sites through the
Municipal Tourism Officers and the Municipat Ptanningand Development
Coordinators (MPDCS),and from the ProvinciatTourismOffice, the Department
of Tradeand Industry(DTl),Department of Tourism(DOT),and the Nationat
StatisticsOffice (Nso).Theofficial websitesof a few of the LGUSand of
NationatEconomicand Devetopment Authority(NEDA)and Departmentof Labor
and Employment(DoLE)were tookedinto.

Primary data gathering was done through individuat focus group

inteMews and actual visit to the estabtishments.
A ProvinciatVatidationand
PtanningWorkshopwith the respondents and other tourism stakehotders
were
conductedto enrichthe dataandensureits correctness.

Limitations
A majorconstraintin the data gathering
wasthe unavailability
of some
datain the LGUS.Thiswasattributed to the post-election
turn-over
of workand
information.
 Resultsand Analvsis
What makes a destination suitabte for ecotourism?A destination's
potentialfor ecotourismencompasses variousareasfor assessment suchas on
attractions, infrastructure and services, market demand, suppty and
competitiveness,human and institutional capacity, socio-economic, cultural
and natural resourceuse considerationsand environmentaland biodiversity
impacts. "A Tourism Assessment Processwill enable practitionersto guide
future planning for the development of tourism ventures, projects, or
destinationsthat can create neededjobs and income opportunities,white
activety contributingto environmentatconservation,communitydevelopment
and poverty reduction." (Linking Communities,Tourism & Conservation,A
Tourism Assessment Process.2005)

Sorsogonhas been the site of such an assessment process,emanating

from the reftection of the [oca[ governmentand civit society teadersthat
tourist influx need not start and end with the whale sharkinteraction in the
coastattown of Donsot.The fottowinginformationand anatysisseeksto provide
tourism stakehotderswith a picture of the suppty side of tourism - the
sufficiency and qualityof the tourismlinkageindustries the potentiat
vis"d-vis
marketneeds.

The tinkage,which is atsocattedthe five A's of tourism,startswith

Arrivat, fo(lowed by Access,Accommodation,Attractions and Activities, as
summarizedin the illustrationbetow.The ensuingdiscussionwilt fottow these
connections,
 Figure1: TourismLinkagefndustries

Plane Housinq/
Accommod'ation
r'[E"l .*"","r."n,@
' Holel FEil . so,u.n,,

' Roads
. Bridges
:;:r:r"ffif
rentals
LeisurelActivity

' Facilities- parks,

golf
course
' Airporls ' rravet ltrA ' Casino,
pX shops
' Ports Agenciesffi
' Telephone ffip

(Source:Ecotourism
OrientationTraining
lor ,AMB, LtKAS,
August,2006l
A. Arrival
,.firstimpression
. ,.Thesaying ta to the tourismindustrv.Travelers
Inruauycomein contacr*r,n ,r2llli':l9lt::
and terminats "Ljl,.rii#"Yitagencies or touroperators,
tfreairports,
u"i"l"
operators what the agencies
rransportation " 9"*tnutions' orliscourieethem.
io ior.irir"',i,,,tn"^l.t
"n"rr"rl"li
or
i:tf,J,."#lJli:eo
"rr"",i'ii'1"
1. TravelAgencies
andTourOperators

;::
rl*,,"n1?i,ir"JiJff j'a"f l s€ncv
rTouili interviewed
.were outori 2or
based in A'tan-ita' t:'9
-ly9 in
99'9d Lesazpi
citv andone is
fi-;r';;H;::
coveringwhalesha* i"i"i".ti""]l.,l1tkag€ limited.toAtbavsitesina oonsoi,
offersa one-dayr"."r iiri i-"'iill"Scrursrng andfireflieswatching.Another
Durusan Lakern Butusan, of visitsto Dancatan-Beach
and
lruluo H.9o:-tiltutive
Resort in lrosin,
Barcelona,
nitura"uir'in ffi;;'i::."YI!: theoldchurchof
Donsot
, andt'" p..oi. ;;1i.";;i^"i::tit|tto-and whale
sharkinteraction
in
sorsoson
city.irr" ,ti'iilr'il,r'ii:"fl: :::T cottese
andFernandoHorerin
unram'iarity
*iir,ir,l-al,iiilir;;:,"ff;"il#T,l::lffil
;i: lfi:,.;f:it*
 actual sjte visits were impractica{.Learningcould not possibtyhappenwith
sucha fast-phased visit. Touristsmay find this disorienting
and disconcerting
whichcoutdredoundto unfavorabte,,word-of-mouth,, Dromotion.
One offer describesthe Donsotoption as,,Enjoy the rare experienceof
snorketr'ng
and watchingthe whate sharksas they swim lazity white feeding.
Someare biggerthan your boat!',.Advertisements are not learning-oriented
and "touristic",far from promotingthe prjnciptes of ecotourism or s;stainabte
tourism.Apartfrom this, there are no descriptionsof the other sites.

Tours rates for whate sharking package range from php993.00 to

Php3,550.00 per personfor 3 daysand 2 nights,depending on the numberof
personsin the group. A one-daytour without any accommodation costsfrom
Php307.00 to Php1,583.00 per person.Stitt anotheragencyoffers one-oay
sorsogon tour costingfrom Php350.00 to php550.00 per person.Inctusions of
the package fees are bustransfers,accommodation in locat resorts,tour guide
services,interaction guides,entrance fees and governmenttaxes, souvenjr
items and/or food attendantsin the bus, comptjmentary streamers, fun and
gamesinsidethe bus,first aid kit, and travelinsurance.Theseare the usual
perlcandattractions in the business.

2. AirlinesandAirDorts

The airport.isin LegazpiCity and a one-hourdrive from Sorsogon City.

_.
There..are2 airlinesservicing the route, phitjppineAirtinesand Cebupacifii,
providing daity ftights to and from Manila. Cebu pacific has morning and
afternoonftigh-ts.This is advantageous
to passengers originatingfrom Soasoqon
sinceLegazpiCity is atmost3 hoursfrom the towns of Butan,Matnogand Sta.
Magdatena. The airporthasbeenrenovatedrecently.Restrooms areitean and
with adequatein water supply.Toilet papersand soips are not provided.There
are no hooks inside the units to hang bags for ease especjaLtyto
unaccompanied passengers.

3. Ferriesond Seaports

The piersof Pilar, Butanand Matnogin Sorsogon

were visited.The piersare
the jump-off points for other ptacestike SorsogonCity from pitar and the
Visayasistandsfrom Butanand Matnog.The phitippineports Authority (ppA)is
managing the operationsof theseseaports.The ports,facititiesneedto be
improvedfor better passenger comfort.
In Bulan,there.is no loungingareafor strandedpassengers and hygienic
comfort roomswith regularwater suppty.There are no telephoneLrnesanO
jnternet accesswhichare a ,,must,,especial.tyfor foreigntourisi:s.Avaitablesea
transportationincludesonlycommerciat boatswhichtravetto Masbate Cityand
other smatterboats. The ferry boat serviceis no tongeroperationat.
 Matnogport is undergoingrehabititationand expansion.There is no
organizedgroupof boat operatorsthat can provideisland-hopping
service'

The Pitar-Masbate route presentlyhas4 regutardajtytrips (2 in the morning

and 2 in the afternoon).Thereare big and smatlfastcrafts,with the big unit
accommodating 144 passengers and the smalterone 81-89peopte'The seats
are comfortableand toitets are avaitabteand maintained.The AreaManagerof
the MontenegroShippingLines operatingthe trips reveatedthe company's
wiltingness to open a Pilar-SorsogonCity route especiatty during the
"butanding"seasonas long as the price is right and site inspections and
oermitsare favorabte.Withthis possibitity,
"butanding" can
enthusiasts afford
io experience the "other side of Sorsogon" without taking a taxingland trip.
Sites that can be covered through this option are the historic Panlatuan
shipyardduringthe time of the Manita-Acaputco trade, Magatlanes'Bagatao
lsta;dor the Gibalong Churchwherethe first mass in Luzonwas hetd,andthe
pearl farms of castil(a before finatty dockingto the "rompeolas"of sorsogon
tity. An air-conditioned buscan meetthe passengers at the "rompeotas"and
take them to the other townsof Sorsogon.

4. BusTerminals

Thereare 5 buscompanies ptyingthe Manita"Sorsogonroute.Theend'points

are Butan,Matnog,Bulusan,Sta. Magdatena, and Sorsogon City. Ticketing
officesand pick-uppointsare convenienttytocatedin the centersof the towns.
The waiting areas, however,are not comfortabteas to a(tow passengers to
white the time away productivetyand restfutty.The dirtinessand poor
maintenanceof the toitets, if there are any' aggravatethe passenger-
unfriendlinessof busterminats.

5, Tronsportservice

A totat of l1 out of 24 organizedtransportationgroupswere interviewed,

with 5 operatingpubticutitity vansptyingthe Legazpi -Sorsogon,
/ Daraga PiLar-
Sorsogon,and Matnog'sorsogon routes. The rest were jeepney/bus/tricycte
groupsin Sta.Magdatena andButusan.

Hatf of the transportgroupsare organizedas associations or cooperatives;

however, onty 2 mentionedhaving business mission,structure, emptoyment
poticiesand reservationsystem.They emptoy311 local peopte. Atmostatt of
them expressedthey can fairty read, write and speakEngtishbut this requires
vatidation. Drivers and dispatchers have been trained onty on Traffic
Management and nonewhatsoever on Customer Relationsor Service.

The bus and van pubtic transport groupscan be reachedthrough mobiLe

phonecommunication. They serveatl of the towns of Sorsogonand can be
hired for trips even to the Visayas,Mindanao,and Manita. They ask for
passengerreservationsone week before departuredate during peak seasons.
Off-seasonreservationscan be made anytime, Most require down payment
white a few requireeither reservationfee or paymentbeforethe actuatdate of
the trip.

6. RestroomAyoilobitity

Traveting oftentimes disrupts the toitet scheduteof passengers;thus,

convenientty-tocated
and sanitaryrestroomsdo servethe purposeof ensuring
passenger/traveter
safetyand comfort. The avaitabjtityof cteanrestroomsis a
gender-responsiveservice to women traveters, A review of the route from
Daragato Sorsogon reveatedthat there are tittte welt-maintainedrestaurants
and 7 gasolinestations atong the way that can provide restroom service.
WhateveravaiLabteare unsanitaryand do not providesoapsand toitet paper.

B. Access

Tourismentajtsmovementof peoptefrom the origjnto the destination.Thjs

underscores the importanceof having adequateinfrastructureand basic
servicestike communicationnot onty to developan ecotourismdestinationbut
atsofor tourist convenience.

L Roads

The provinceis easily accessedfrom other points in Luzonthrough the

MaharlikaHighwaysystem.Busesptyingthe Manil.a-Tactoban or Manila"Davao
route carry commutersatt the way up to Matnogand are ferried acrossto Atten
in Northernsamar.A networkof secondaryroadstinksthe other municipatities
together.The port in Bulanmovescargoand passengers betweenSorsogon and
Masbate.The roadsare wetl paved.

2. Communication

PhonecompaniesseMcingSorsogon inctudethe pLDT,Bayantet,and Digitet

companies.Onty in SorsogonCity do alt of these companiesoperate.
Municipatitieswhere at least one of theseoperate inctudeButan,lrosin,Sta.
Magdatena, Butusan,Matnog,and Gubat.Mretesscommunication systemslike
the Smartand Gtobeand its affitiatesare nowoperationat in the Drounceand
reacheventhe farthesttowns.

3. Shopping
MaIIs

Thereare no big mattsin the province.The 2 big ones,the LCCand pacific

Matts,are tocatedin LegazpiCity. Instead,there are medium-chainstoresin
SorsogonCity [ike the Robertson's,Sampaguita,Footstep,D Best, and a few
municipat-based generatmerchandise
[ocatty-owned stores.

1. Business
Centers

Besidesthe tetephonesystems,internet facititiescan be found in Sorsogon

City and in 8 municipatities.Theseare connectedto the Smart Bro wireless
internet system. Fax machinesare avaitabteonly in SorsogonCjty, Gubat,
lrosin,and Bulan.

C. Accommodation

l. Hotelsand Resorts

There were 27 [oca[ hotels/resortsvisited for the study. Of these, 14 are

singteproprietor-owned and 3 are corporate-owned. Theyemptoya totat of 198
persons,mosttywomen. There are 16 that had att of its emptoyeesundergo
Foodand BeverageHandtingtrainingof the DOTand had sent staff for training
on ResortManagementsponsoredby their respectiveLGU.Att other tourism-
and service-retatedtrainingsprovidedto emptoyeesare found in the tabte
betow.

Table 1: TrainingsProvidedto Hotel and ResortEmployees

Number of Positionof Title/Type of Training Sponsor

Hotels/Resorts EmDlovee
16 Attpositions Food A Beverage DOT
Handtinq
Briefinq DOr
ResortManaqement tGU
2 Manager Food& Beverage Sorsogon
ProvinciaL
Tourism
Council
(sPTC)
l FrontDesk Tourism
Awareness DOT
TourGuidinq DOT
TouristReceDtion DOT
7 Waiter FoodHandtinq
3 MessBoys FoodPreparation Sorsogon
State
Cotteee
12 RoomAttendant HousekeeDinq DOT
LifeGuard FirstAid RedCross

"Tourismis a people-oriented
businessanddepends on quatityservicefrom
trained managersand employees. "(Linking Communities,Tourism &
Conservotion,A TourismAssessment Process,2005).The corestaff hasbeen
trained on their primary duties but humanrelationstrainingsand even
ecotourismorientationhavenot beenprovided,lt can be noted that there is a
local training institute, the SorsogonState Cottege,that can be tapped for
tourism-retated trainings.A capabititybuitdingprogramin partnership
with the
schoolcoutdhetpfitt the humanresource development gap.

Another skitt of importanceto those invotvedin the tourism industry is

communication.Mth foreign tourists besidesthe tocats as target groups,
proficiency in Engtishof ALL people in the invotved estabtishmentsis a
necessity.Thoughatt thoseinterviewedexpressedthat their staff were fair in
Engtishreadjng,writing, and speaking,this remainsto be validated.0n the
otherhand,the staffis friendly,accommodating,andservewith a smile.

Humanresourcedevetopmentinvotvesmorethan capacitybuitdingwork. lt
inctudesmanagementof the working environmentto faciLitatebetter work
performance.For exampte,are the emptoyeesgiventhe benefitsthey navea
right to? Are the satarieswithin the minimumwage requirements? These
concernsneedto be addressed, too.
(Rstitu(\onql
ca$ac\t\es
s$ the Dh)s\ca\,
sDesb\\$$s
a\$ ma$agemen\
asDet\s
of the businessstrengthenthe competjtivenessof the hotets/resorts.Most
often what these businesses
offer the touristsand traveterswilt increasethe
vatue of the ecotourismdestinationor attraction. The quatjty of the
interviewedestabushmentson theseaspectsis shownbelow.

Table 2: Presence/Availability
of SelectedFacilitiesand Services
in Hotelsand Resorts

System/SeMce Numberof E tablishments

Present/Available
InformationDesk 16
WasteManagement 19
Avaitabitiry of Hotel/Resort
Information
Highwaymarkers 7
Wordof mouth 8
Locatknowtedge 5
Schoots 2
LoneLy ptanet 2
Ownwebsite ,I
Owntour services 1
FLyers, brochures 2
Meansof communication
Mobitephone 19
TeLephone 12
Internet 5
Intercom 1
Firefightjng facitities 17
 System/Service Numberof E5tablishments
PresenvAvailable
Securjtysystem
Hiredsecu ty guard
Barangaytanod 8
None 2
Signboards 11(8on precautionary
measures,
3 onsiteinterDretatjon)
Avaitabjtityof potabtewater
Insurance 6
Tourguide;In-house 1
Contracted/On catl 6
Transport
service:ln-house 1
Contracted/ 4
Oncatl
Massage:
ln-house 3
Contracted/On
caLl 8
Schedute
of clean-upof rooms:
Rightaftervisitorschecked
out
Daity tf,
Parkingspace
Paved I
Not paved 6
Gravel 5
Grass 1
Minimum caDacitv '10vehictes
Facitities
Convention/conference haLls 12
Picnichuts/Cottages 11
Videoke machines 11
Coffeeshops/ restau
rants 9

The tabtes aboveshowsthat the businesses have the usuatseMce or

procedureslike the informationdesksJwaste disposalthrough avaiLabitityof
garbagecans,fire extinguishers and daily cLeaningof the rooms.Facititiesare
wett-maintained and surroundings kept ctean.Furnishings are comfortabte.lt
was observed,though, that the waste segregatjonis not done and the fire
extinguishersneed to be checkedfor their expirationdates. The fire stations
are generattymorethan a kitometerawayfrom them, whichalt the morecouro
frighten the touristsawayif they are awareof this condition.Comptiance with
the Fire Codehasto be checkedas wett as with the SanitationCodeif ouatitv
serviceis to coverensuringheatthand safetyof ctients.

The operationof the estabtishments was not strategicattyptanned.

Thoughinvestmentsand efforts were madeon the buitdingstructuresand basic
facitities and on ensuringstaff courteousnessand friendtiness,the business
missions and organizationat
structures were not ctear. The ontyproceduresor

l0
mechanisms that havebeenarrangedwere the poticiesfor reservations
and the
rates of service. The businesseshave been started to resDondto the
opportunityfor tourismwithoutan accompanyingstrategicbusinessplanning.

Tour guidingis not an in-houseservicein the hotetsand resorts. Four

personscontractedfor tour guidingservicewere interviewed. Onty one has
attendeda TourGuidingSeminarof the SEAMANCOR and anothertook part in
an Ecotourism Seminarof LlKAs.Theyhadinvolvedin tour guidingfor various
reasonssuch as through membershipin SEAMANCOR, recommendation of
retatives,and referraIfrom the barangaycaptain.

Tour guidingas well as languageinterpretationis an opportunjtyfor

tocatemptoyment.What better coutdcaptivatetouriststhan colorfutlocal site
storiesthat are basedon history and scientific informationand interestingLy
totd?Tourguidingrequires trainedpeoptewhichare of shortsuppty.Thosewho
are engagedin it at the momentare aptty informedfrom famity storiesbut not
from scientificand research-based
knowtedee.

Table3: Tour Guides'Knowledge

of LocalTourismSites

Fomiliarity

VeryFamjtiar- 3 QujteFamiliar 1

Coverage

History 3 Geography" 3 Features - 3

Source

Storiesfrom famjty - 4 Research- 1 tra]ning- 2

Formal

Thetour guideshaveonlythe tourists'satisfaction in mindin theirwork.

Their perceptionof ecotourismis centeredon the touristsand lackingin
orientationon how tourismcan be madeto work for the ecotogicat, cutturat,
sociaIand economicbenefitto the residentsof the sites.
 Table 4: Tour Guides'Perceptionof QuatityServiceand Ecotourism

Perceptionof Qualityservice Knowledgeof Ecotourism

ptacenotfound
Goodsericel eoodrelationswith visitors Ptaceto retax,beautr'fut
anywnere
e$e
Hoppyond sotisfied tourists Providingadventure,quiet

VoI'unteer
service Environmentis n'ch,naturaL
resourcesstjtL
aDouno
QualityserviceprovjdedJworkswith Nature in thearea,nature-
avaitabLe
0a55ton friendty
Entertaining the visitorsweLlsotheywitI Protecting
the environment sotourists
comeDacK wilt comeandvisit
Giveatt that can be givento satisfy
customer

Fivehotetscanbe considered
standardhotetsunderthe ctassification
of
the Department of Tourism,thoughnot in the strict sense.For exampte,
foreignexchange counterandmedicalservicesare not avaitabte
insjdetheir
bujtdings.
Table 5: Classificationof Resortsper DOTStandards

ClassA ClassAA

Sorsogon
City
BoanergesBeachResort BaconBeach& DiveCenter
Fishermans Hut
Dino'sBeachResort
Dizon's
BeachResort

Pilar
PatmCreekBeach

Gubot
RizatBeach
Buluson

DancalanBeach
CrystalSpringResort

lrosin

GuestWodd Resort
MateoHot & CotdSpring

Sto. Mdedoleno
 ClassA ClassAA

BatadingBeachResort
NewPort BeachResort
PamanaBeachResort

Motnog

BantiguiBeachResort

Prieto Dioz

Sabang
Beach

Three resortspassthe criteria for a CtassAA resort. The wetl-operated

and maintainedhotetsand resortscan be found in Sorsogon City, emphasjzing
the needfor attracting touristsinto the heart of Sorsogon white at the same
time facititatingthe development and/or improvement of ecotourism-retated
estabtishments in the other towns. Hotet and resort rates are cheaperin
Sorsogonthan that of Atbayaccommodations but higher than other ptacesin
the Phitippineslike in Palawan.Mth tourists mostty budget tourists and
backpackers, the roomratesin Sorsogon are definitetyaffordabte.

Table 6: Typesof Hotel and ResortRoomsand Rates

Numberof Air- Rates Numberof Non-air Rates

condltionedRooms conditionedRooms
11 Php800.00/room Php750.00/room
goodfor 4 persons Php600.00/room
goodfor 4
7-2 Php900.00/ room Php200.00/person
goodfor 1 person
Php2,100.00/ room
goodfor 6 persons
32 Php250.00. 41 Php300.00 fora
700.00/pefson srngteroom
Php2,500.00
for 12 Php780.00 for a
persons doubLe room
44 -
Php800.00 52 Php250.00/person
6,000.00/room
6-6 Php800.00 10-2 Phpl,000.00/room
for 2 persons
Php400.00- 14- 1 Php400.00/room
600.00/Derson goodfor 5 persons
15 - 1 Php'l,600.00
singte 25- 1 Php250.00/day
room
Php1,875.00
doubLe
room
 Numberof Air- Rates Numberof Non-air Rates
conditionedRooms conditionedRooms
Php2,425.00 room
goodfor 4 Dersons
18 - 1 Php1,000.00 double 35- 1 Php990.00/room
room goodfor 4 persons
Php1,500.00 good Phpl,080.00/ room
for 4 persons goodfor 5 Dersons
20- z Php375.00 to 600.00 Unspecified Php100.00/person
Php800.00 for a
roomgoodfor 7
Persons(famity
room)
Php1,500.00
"bahaykubo"
27- 1 Php'1,060.00double
room
Php1,250.00 good
for 3 persons
Php1,600.00 Cood
for 4 Dersons
Unspecified Php150.00-
600.00/person
Php1,080.00-
1,500.00/room

Thehotetsandresorts'perceptionof quatityseMceis customer-focused

andis evidentin theirconcentrationon the basicoperation of facititiesand
services.
_ Their knowledgeof ecotourism needs to be strengthened, bejng
business"focused and famity profit-orientedwjth tittle iecoenition of
communityparticipationand benefit.Thereare but onty4 respondEnts which
recognizeetementsof ecotourism
tike the financiatandsociatbenefitsfor the
sitepoDULation.

Table 7: Perceptionof euality Serviceand Ecotourism.

Accommodation Establishments
PerceDtionof
Goodottitudes Preservotion
of the naiiialiesources in
(nice/courteous/
h
AIwovssmile Encourogeeueststo isit ands
Guestsleavesatis proqressfor the LGA
Business/
Presentabte
attire LiveLihood
for the communi
Goodfood Devetopment of the Loca[
Goodfacitities Partof tounsm
Attendto/entertain estswetL Utitization
of rawmateriats in tfrearea
Saf Devetopment of the Dl.aci
24l7 service

14
 on of OualitvService of Ecotourism

Goodsurroundings/cteantiness

Home-stay serviceis anotherform of accommodation that offers 'a

homeawayfrom home".lt offerstocatresidents thosewith timited
especially
capitatwifh opportunity for gettinginto the ecotourism
-provi-ding Therewere4
business'
iaiiiies inte'r"iewed home-stayservicesin Butusan,Donsot'
A4agattanes, and Sta.Magdatena.
'business The operatorsare retiredcoupleswho have
coribined with companionship. They can read, write, and speak
ingtishfairty and two haveactuattyobtainedcottegeeducation'They have
Ueinin ttrebusiness for a minimum of oneyearanda maximum of 5 years'One
famity offers tour guiding'They are not awareof the NationalHome-stay
Program of the DOT.
Thebuilding structuresareconcrete anddurabte andthe houses arein
rooms,the other2 ontyhavenon-
the town proper.lwo offer air-conditioned
air-conditionedrooms.Forthe 3 homes, cleanandwetl-maintainedtoitetand
bathfacititiesaretocatedinsidethe rooms.Meatsarenot served'
The home'stayprovidershaveheardof ecotourism but their perception
is timitedto the fottowing:
I something aboutdevetopment of ecology
r cteanandrichenvironment
r involvesPeoPte fromthe highend
I takingcareof whatwe have
I nationat/internationatshowcaseof tourismdestinations/sites

D. Restaurants
wereinteMewed,with 18of them
A totat of 23 restaurantestablishments
individuatty-owned Composition
and the rest corporation"owned. of their
emptoyees is asfotlows:
By sex
in Restaurants,
Table8: Typeof EmPloyees

TvDeof Employees Mates Female5

: 1-2staff
Manageriat 9 17

3-5 1

6-8 1
 TvDe of EmDlovees Males Females
RankandFite; 1-2staff

3-5

6-8

9-11

Femaleemptoyment outnumbers that of men in the restaurantbusiness.

Thisunderscores andgender-responsiveness
tookinginto the gender-sensitivity
of eventhe ecotourism sector.Tabte8 atsoshowsthe (imitedoperationof the
businessas the few numberof emptoyees indicates.Trainingfor these
emptoyeesis reftectedin Tabte9 below.
Tabte9: TrainingsProvidedto RestaurantEmployees

Numberof Positlonof Itqe/ type oT Sponsor

Restaurants EmDlovee Tralnine
2 Marketinq
crew Salesmanshio
18 Service
crew Stationtraininq
77 In-house
bovs FoodhandUne
LOOK Cooking Orjent Hotel,
Makati
Dininestaff Foodservice PrivatesDonsor
10 Kitchenstaff Kitchenmanaeement TESDA
Waiter/waitresses Tabte setting and
customerrelations
Diningand kitchen Emptoyer-emptoyeeDTI
staff retationshio

It is in the restaurant
business that capabititybuitdingon serviceprovision
is
accordedimportanceas indicatedin the numberof restaurants that had its
fronttine workerstrained. other training institutionsremain untappedto
updateandcapacitatethe workers,eitherfrom lackof informationor lackof
financiaIresources in supportof thisintervention.
Therestaurants visitedwerethoselocatedin the centerof the towns/city.
Thereis a dearthof eatingptacesthat arewithinthe vicinityof the ecotourism
sites.The restaurants were visitedare wett-maintained, cteanand orderty.
Thereare separatetoitetsfor men and womenand washingfacitities,with
adequatewater suppty.Workingareasin the kitchenare spacious.Waste
management is timitedto the ptacementof trashcansin the proper[ocations.
The quatityand of food shoutdbe further assessed for comptiance with the
requirementsof the SanitationCode.
 Onty 5 had security guardsunder their employ. Fjre extinguisherswere
availabtein just 13 restaurants.Safetyand securityof ctients are, therefore,
concerns that needfurtherattention.

The restaurantshavetheir own speciattiesand offer cateringserviceseven

to the [ocal resorts.For their ingredients,18 respondentssourcetheirs from
the tocalities. This is a window of opportunity for local residentsto be
involvedin the ecotourismbusiness by venturinginto food production.

The restaurants ptace importance on enjoyment and satisfaction of

customersfrom eating and this is evidentat least in the physicalmaintenance
of the restaurants and in the provision of trainings for the workers.
Ecotourism,for those in the restaurantindustry, is confined to traditionat
tourism with the exception of a few respondentswho expressedeconomic,
ecologicaI
andcutturaldimensions of ecotourism.

Table 10: Perceptionof quality Serviceand Ecotourismof Respondents,

Restaurant Business

PerceDtionof OualitvService Knowledgeof Ecotourism

goodfood quolity
cleansurroundings/ peoptevisjt the sjte

entertainthe customers touristsftockjngto the area

consistentfoodproducts in termsof needfor differentgroups

of peoplefor
taste,appearance; consistent,fast,and the town'sprogress
efficientservice;hadresearched new
menu5
encourage customers presentLocat
foodto tourists

affordabteprice entertaining
we{tthe visitors

hetpsetevatethe statusof tourism protecting

the ecotogicaI
system

incometo the disadvantased

Drovidine

E.Souvenir
ShoDs
Anotheravenuefor sensing the applicationof ecotourism
is in the settingof
[oca[productsto tourists. First, communities can be madepart of this as
indivdualentrepreneurs or in groupsthroughcommunityorganizations.
Second,the communityresidentscan be sourcesof raw materiatsor the
productsitsetf and benefit from additionaLsourcesof income.And third,
productscan be madeto reftectthe tocalities'way of life and cutturewhile
preserving
its authenticityandsuppl.y.
 There were 8 souvenirshopsinterviewed, 7 of them owned by singte
proprietorsand the other one by a cooperative.Five are registeredwith the
DTIand had hadits workers,25-50of them, trainedthroughthe department's
skittstrainings.

Items sold were wattets, housedecorations,t-shirts, accessories, and piti

sweets.Bestse[ing items are the accessoriesand thosesotdin butkwere house
decorations,Discountsare atwaysgiven. Sourcesof raw materiatsare within
and outsidethe municipatities but stitt within the province.There are two
which sourceout from other provinces.Productsare made-to-order for 5 of the
shops.

The "one town, one product"conceptof the DoT needsto be appliedin the
souvenirshop business. Speciattyproductsneed not be limited to non-food
items,for exoticcuisine/foodtike the "Bicotexpress"and the "kinagang"atso
havea way of attractingvisitors.Additionatinformationon the food ethnicity
woutdappeaIto anyoneinterested in tocalculture.

For thosein the souvenirshopbusiness,their perceptionof quatity service

is very basic as having "quatity products",getting clients and ensuring
satisfaction
asTable11 shows.Onthe otherhand,the tackof organization and
strategic businesssenseevident even simpty in the types of productssotd
contradictthis. The abacaproductsand shell crafts can be foundin other parts
of the regionANDthe Phitippines, imptyingthe needto further devetopthe
province'sspeciaLtyproducts.For example,if Sorsogon leadsthe regionin the
production of piti, an in-depthstudyinto the piti industrywitt be mosthetpfut.
For the concept of ecotourismto be nurtured in the province,the souvenir
shopindustryis a criticatvehicteto demonstrate communityparticipationand
batancing cutturaIauthenticity andresource conseryation.

Table 11: Perceptionof Quality service and Ecotourismof Respondents,

souvenirshoDs

Perceptionof QualltyService Knowledqeof Ecotourism

providing quoli A products
goodapproachemDLoved
entertainingwel[ to 5atj5fycLjents
Sales-tatkweti
offerinq[oca[products
friendsfrom other countriesvisit our ploce
Dromotionof the beoutvof the Dloc
materiats in the Dlaceare avaiLabte
promotion of peopte'svaLues
business
sense
DtaceLovisit

F. Leisure/Activity

A vatueaddition to an ecotounsmsite is anyactivityor attractionthat

would encouragetourists to smy rongerin the ptaceor evenexpLoreother
sites.Examptesare culturalattractionsshowingtraditionaldancingor rituals,
sportsandfitnessfacitities,
andmedicat/heatingcenters.
For this study emergingactivitiessuchas spaswere visited.One is
locatedin lrosin,Sorsogon andthe othertwo are in Sorsogon City. Massage,
acupressure, acupuncture, steambath, and reflexologyare offeredin these
centers.Herbalsoapsand medicines are availabtefor sate,Homeserviceis a
commonoption.Thepaymentfor steambathsrangesfrom Php50.00 to 150.00
dependingon the durationand for acupressure and massageit is from
Php150.00 to Php250.00 depending on the [ocationof the ctient.Theservice
providersare proficientin Engtish
andhavebeenformatlytrainedtikewith the
Technical
Education SkitlsDevetopment (TESDA)
Authority andwith the Phitippine
Centerfor TraditionalandAseanMedicine.spaworkers/operators' perception
of ecotourismis confinedto havingtouristswho havemoneyto spenoano
comingfor pteasure with the community benefitingin the end.Besides the
center-based estabtishments there are individuatpractitioners in each
municipatitywhoareon-cat[for hotelandresortcustomers.
Thereis actuallyinadequacyof organized leisureor activitiesto choose
from. With whale-sharking as the star attractionin the province,cuttural
practicesand historic attractions have been given littte attention. A
recreationalactivity commonfor atLareasis the operationof videokebars.
Apartfrom these,other educationat, recreatjonat,and evenmedicat/heatjng
packagesfor tourists need further conceptuatization or develoDment and
Promotion.
G, Adequacy
of Establishments/Sectors
perMuniclpality

Ecotourism destinationscan be ctusteredin the devetoDment of tour

packages.Withoutsettingasidequatity,the presence or absenceof tourism-
retatedindustriesin eachof the municipatity/city
in the provinceis of prime
consideration
if the clusteringis to be viable.Tabte 12 showshow these
industries
aredistributedthroughoutthe proMnce.
Sorsogon City and lrosin provide the most number and types of
establishments necessaryfor the ecotourism destinations.lrosinhasadvanced
to be at parwith SorsogonCityfor the avaitabitity
of supportservices
dueto its
strategictocationandto the presence andnearnessof "pioneer',tourismsites
- the MateoSpringsResortandthe Butusan Lake.Sorsogon City and lroslnare
centrallylocatedandcanbe actualtytinkedwith the otherptacesfor whatever
viableandattractivepackage. Pitar,Butusan,andButancomesecondin having
available servicesfor tourist comfort and convenience. Amone the
estabtishments,moneychanging facititiesarehardto find.
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 andRecommendations
Summary
Thetourismindustryis a peopte-oriented andpeople-poweredbusiness.
It existswith the touristssoletyin mind,their comfort,convenience,
health
andsafety.lt is service-focusedrequiringthe emptoyof humanresourceswith
the necessary capacitiesand appropriateservicemanagement strategies,lt
hotdsmuchpromisefor [oca[job seekerswith its variedrangeof knowtedge
andskittsrequirements suchason:
r Managerialandoperational
I AccountingandcontrotUng
I Humanresource management
r Marketingandsa(es
r Leadership
r Foodservices skitlssuchasmenuplanning, foodpreparation andwaiting
tabtes
r Housekeeping
I Reception guestservices
r Travetagencyservices
I Touroperations
I Attractionandrecreationa[ management
r Knowtedge of destination,
i.e,, cutturatheritage,historyandbiodiversity
I Interpretation,guidingandtanguages
I Parkandprotectedareamanagement
r Architecturatdesign,tandscaping andbuitding
I Businessplanning anddevetopment
I Land-use ptanning, zoning
andbuitding codes
t Environmentat management andauditing
I Banking andcreditcardservices
(LinkingCommunities, Tourism& Conservation, A ToutismAssessment Process,
2005)
The studyof tourism-retated industriesor the supportservicesbrought
to the fore its existinggapsin quatityandsufficiency that showhowthe above
opportunities havenot beentakenadvantaged of to the futl. A gtaringfindingis
the tackof basicunderstanding of ecotourismamongthosein the business - the
owners/employers, the managers, andthe rankandfile. Actionsemanatefrom
perceptions. Withontyquatityservice andbusiness/employment/income in the
mindsof the ownersandthe workforce,the etements of community ownership,
participationand benefit and environmental conservation are sidetracked.
Survivalis of utmostimportanceyet the meansto achieveandsustainit are
not accorded its dueconsideration.

thrust,one wouldnaturallytookfor the presence

With the business of
sound businesspractices.On the contrary, the study showedthat the
havebeenoperatingfor purposes
estabtishments of havinga profit-for-income
operationfor the momentwith littl.eforward-tooking actions.Theyhavetaken
the businessopportunitiesastheycameatongand made decisionswithoutany
attendantstrategicassessment and planning.For exampte,business missions
and strategiesare not clearand updated,the empLoyees are not adequatety
trained,and systemslike wastemanagement are not welt-planned.Eventhe
hotels,which are comparabty operatingwett, are not exempt from these
findings.Tour packages havebeenvery timitedto Donsotwith no optionfor
other cutturat,historicat,or recreationalattractions.Groupsof trainedtour
guideshavebeenestabtished but needfurther trainingon management and
tour guidingitself. Productslike arts and crafts have been designed in the
"usuat" way with tittte innovativeproduct devetopmentand pro-active
marketing,
NoteveMhingis on the redin the supportservicefor ecotourism. Travet
Airportsandferryterminalsareaccessibte,
to the sitesis retativetyconvenient.
the roadsarewetl-paved, and vansandtaxi services
air-conditioned arewet[-
situatedin the terminatvicinities.Restroom availabilityin regutarpointsalong
the Albay to Sorsogon travel route and toilet sanitationmust be given
attention, though.
Communication amenitiesare compteteexcept for fax machine
and
avaitabitity internetshopscan be foundin almostall the centersof the
towns/city.Theinadequacy moneychanging
of readity-accessed facitityneeds
to be addressed, For medical needs,pharmacies are conveniently-locatedin
the town/city centers.The provincialhospitaland two privatehospitatsare
found in the city white doctors' clinics can be found only in central
municipatities
tikelrosinandButan.

Amongalt the sectorsstudied,the accommodation and restaurant

industries
are operatingrelativelywett,at per
teast minimum standardsof the
DoT.Amongthe ptaces in sorsogon,Sorsogon City,lrosin,Pitar,Butusan,
and
Bulanhavea sufficientnumberof tourism-related estabtishments.

With the presence of possiblebusinesses

in supportof ecotourism,the
capabitityof the potentiatlabor force requiresto be equaLlyconsidered.
Assumingthere is adequateworkforce,are there enoughresourcesand
trainingsto buildthem up?Whichinstitutionsare avaitableto supporttourism
developmentin the area?Theseare criticat concernsthat the provinciat
ecotourism government and privateptayerscoutdtookinto if the ecotourism
paradigm is to takerootsandbearfruits.

ls Sorsogon,
then, a suitableecotourismdestination? Witt its present
supportservicesaddressthe needsof the tourists?with the followingshort-
term, medium-term, and long-terminterventionsrecommendations it canbe
maoelrue,
OnOperotions
ondService
lrlanagement
Thesupportservices or the tourism[inkageindustries
arefirst andforemost
for profit. For achievingquatity seMce towardsattracting a
businesses
sustainabLe
ftowof touristsandincome,it is importantandurgentto:
r Devetopareas and businesses accordingto one cluster-one
product/package concept
I Conduct StrategicAssessmentand Ptanning and Business
Planning per
sector and ensure sectoral and geographicatintegration and
coordination,executionof ptans and mobitizationof supportand
resources
I Facititateecotourism
awarenessraisingand capabititybuitdingfor the
work force especialtyon Engtishproficiency,tour guiding,gender
mainstreaming,andotherneeded skittsfor ecotourism
industries
r Devetop a pro-active communication program to make
customers/touristsaware of and be interestedin the ecotourism
pacKages
I Reviewand ensurecomptiance of the businessesand services
with the
Fire,Sanitation,
andLaborCodes
OnEcotourismPromotion

Forthe ecotourism phitosophyto gainground,the fottowingproposats

are
put forwardto provincja[
ecotourismstakeholders:
I Intensiveawarenessraisingon ecotourism,its core principlesand
conseryationvalues,waste disposat,minimizingwater and energy
consumption, andgreentechnologies
I lnstitutionalizelocal community participation in the decision-making
process, fromconceptualizationto imptementation andcontrol
I lmprove[oca[participation andownership Likethroughthe artsand
crafts,communalty- ownedand-runenterprises, andevenhome-stay
servicedevelopment andestabtjshpartnershipagreements between
community andprivate partners/owners
t Connectintended actions with poverty atteviationmeasureslike
cooperatiye formation,locaIsourcingandemptoyment
I lmprovelocatproductdevelopment (handicrafts,arts and crafts,tocal
cuisine)to reftect areas' cutture and creativity without depteting
culturatresources anddevaluingthem
r Conduct furtherstudyon culturalexperiences, historicandheritage
attractions,andrecreationaIactivities
I Estabtishandmakefunctionatcoordinative bodiesandmechanisms
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 ANNEXC

INTERVIEWED/VIsITED
LISTOF RESPONDENTS/ESTABLISHMENTS

Resorts/Hotels

PatmCreekBeachResort
WoodlandBeachResort
Amor Farm BeachResort
Vitton BeachResort
NewDortBeachResort
BaladingBeachResort
BantiguiBeachResort
BantiguianBeachResort
SabangParkand BeachResort
Rizal BeachResort
DancalanBeachResort
CrystatSpringResort
GuestWorldResortand lnn
MateoHot and ColdSpringResort
Orok Springs
BaconBeachResortand Dlve Center
Fisherman's Hut
Fernando'sHotel
Villa Kasanggayahan
VillA lsabet
IngkoHotel
Sta.ClaraRidgeInn
Tentyard Hotel and Restaurant
MayorgaPensionHouse
SorsogonState CollegeHostel
El Retiro Retreat House
FragasMansion

Home-stav

RSFidela Lodge
L3lnn
Bartilet LodgingHouse
Harongni LolangErna
Pilarcommercial

Restaurants
SmatlTatkCaf6
 KabuluanCaf6
Fe Supelena'sEatery
LourdesCarinderia
Aida'sCarinderia
SGGRestaurant
Dopol'sRestaurant
DulayRestaurant
Carol'sEatery
7J's Restaurant
GuestworldRestaurant
Marivic B. NermalEatery
Dangalan's Eatery
ChowKing
Graceland's
Greenwich
KalundanRestaurant
,rtangocrill
Pao-paoNoodlesHouse
CasaDominga
Tia Tinay'sRestaurant
MEDDRestaurant
AA ldjao Kitchenette

SouvenirShoDs
Sta. MagdalenaNative HandicraftDisplayCenter
Rizal BeachResortSouvenirShop
Forest Hills Arts and Crafts
CoraF. FuloHandicrafts
LindaPrimo's NoveltyStore
Zafe Native Products
Domalaon's MarineProducts
Tia Berning's

Tour Guides
Baywatchers
Tribu Bulusanon
Pinagkaisang
Samahanng mgal agsasaka(PNAGSAMA)
Inc.
NagsurokCavesGuides
Seamancor

Spa Estoblishments
ZaideLota Reftex/Massage
Clinic
JalmascoReflexCenter

33
CIMED

Tr qnspor t FaciIi ti esI Groups

l ontenegroShippingLines
FilcabPitar
IntegratedTransportCoopof Pilar
PPAFerry TerminatOffice
TUSOK
Sta. MagdalenaJeepneyOperator-Driver-ConductorAssociation
Sta. r{agdalenaPadyakOperator-Driver
Association
BulusanJeepneyDriver Association
Sorsogon-LegazpiTransportCooperative

34
 ANNEX
D

THERESEARCH
TEATA
l{arian A. La , adrid-Ferreras
AmeliaA. Nanoz-Gacias
ZosimoE. Gamba
 List of Tabtes

TableNo. and Title Page

1: TrainingsProvidedto Hotel and ResortEmptoyees 8

2: Presence/Availability
of SetectedFacilitiesand Services
in Hotelsand Resorts 9

3: Tour Guides'Knowledgeof LocalTourismSites 11

4: Tour Guides'Perceptionof quality Serviceand Ecotourism 12

5: Classificationof ResortsDer DOTStandards 17

6: Typesof Hotel and ResortRoomsand Rates 13

7: Perceptionof quality Serviceand Ecotourism,

Accommodation Establishments 14
8: Type of Employeesin Restaurants,By Sex 15

9: TrainingsProvidedto RestaurantEmployees to

10: Perceptionof Quality Serviceand Ecotourismof

Respondents,RestaurantBusiness 17

11: Perceptionof Quality Serviceand Ecotourismof

Respondents, SouvenirShops 18
'l 2: Numberof Tourism-related
Establishments.
By Municipality 2'l

List of Fisures

FigureNo. andTitle Page

1: TourismLinkageIndustries 7
 List of Acronvms

DOLE Department
of LaborandEmployment

DOT Department
of Tourism

DTI Department
of Tradeandlndustry

LGUs LocalGovernment
Units

MPDCs planning
Municipat andDevetopment
Coordinators

NEDA Nationat
Economic
andDevelopment
Authority

N50 NationalStatistics
Office

PPA portsAuthority
Philippine

SEAMANCOR Seagrass,
/vlangroves
andCoralsEco-developers,

TESDA Technical
Educatjon
SkiusDevelopmenr
Authority