Community-Based Ecotourism and Conservation in Tboli, Philippines

Abstract

Summary This case study narrates the story of Lake Holon and the choices made by the Municipality of Tboli (and the indigenous people whose name it bears) in opening their sacred lake to tourism. Until 2013, tourism to the lake had been limited to occasional expeditions and outreach activities by local mountaineering groups. The municipal government chose to adopt a community-based tourism strategy as a means of empowering the resident Tboli – especially those in the villages leading to, and around, Lake Holon. From 2014 to 2018, the municipality worked with five rural villages to develop ecotourism attraction sites, while also preparing the residents to operate and manage the attractions themselves. This narration of the Tboli experience comes primarily from direct interviews and published quotes from two persons directly involved in establishing the tourism program: Rodel Hilado, the municipal tourism officer of Tboli since 2013, and Nelly Nita Dillera, regional director for the Department of Tourism (DOT) from 2013 to 2019. Both have graciously granted permission for their names and statements to be cited in this case study. Additional details on the program and the subsequent outcomes come from local government documents and other secondary sources. Information © The Author 2024