Competitiveness and Sustainability of the Hotel Industry: The Case of Hotels in Pampanga

Abstract

The study aims to scrutinize the competitiveness and sustainability of the hotel industry in Pampanga, Philippines. Its primary objectives include 1) assessing the competitive intensity and attractiveness of the hotel industry; 2) analyzing the factors affecting the industry; and 3) identifying the issues, concerns, and prospects of the industry, and 4) formulating competitiveness and sustainability frameworks. Through the use of focus-group discussion and in-depth interviewing, the finding revealed that the hotel industry in Pampanga is highly competitive. The results also showed that, despite the bright future of the hotel industry of the province brought about by internal and external factors, still, hotel owners and managers expressed their issues and concerns that can directly and indirectly affect the hotel industry in general. Moreover, to boost the level of competitiveness, the key players which include hotel establishments, the government sector including the provincial tourism office, the regional office of the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the local government units (LGUs) and the academe should help and work hand in hand in promoting and supporting the tourism and hospitality sector of Pampanga. The sustainability framework on one hand includes strategies such as: 1) clear brand image for Pampanga, 2) sustainable/year-round tourist activities, 3) new system of hotel accreditation, 4) law enforcement and security assurance, 5) proper promotion for Pampanga as a tourist destination, 6) improvement of hospitality and tourism infrastructure, and 7) use of technology-enabled hotel reservation system.