Public governance in rural ecotourism: The case of developing economy

Dondon T Dagdag

doi:10.22495/jgrv10i2siart8

Abstract

Over the past decade, global studies on ecotourism provide an illuminating hope for economic development (Sangpakil, 2017; Kim, Xie, & Cirella, 2019; Wahono, Poernomo, & Kusumah, 2019). However, fewer of these studies work on rural ecotourism. With hopes on the potentiality of rural ecotourism in Quirino Province, this research delved into the management bearings of rural ecotourism. Primarily, it trails the various management practices of ecotourism attractions and significant differences in the responses thereof including problems encountered in this management journey. Anent to, employed descriptive approach. Data were obtained from a survey questionnaire and were statistically analyzed through SPSS. Revealed thereof, management responsibilities on ecotourism sites are most practiced. Interestingly, among these practices training for tourist personnel, facilities, services and infrastructures, cultural heritage, and marketing seemed to be substantial and need attention. Also, problems, such as few numbers of tourist arrival noted, lack of equipment for recreational activities in ecotourism sites, and lack of parking areas were the factors that require attention. With these aforementioned revelations, a proposed sustainable development plan was moulded.

Highlights

Ecotourism, tourism with a low environmental impact, contributes to local proceeds (Anup, Ghimire, & Dhakal, 2020; Renkert, 2019; Snyman & Bricker, 2019; Juma & Khademi-Vidra, 2019), the decisionmaking process of the regulatory governance (Zacarias & Layola, 2017; Blumstein, Geffroy, Samia, & Bessa, 2017), and economic diversification (Amoamo, Ruckstuhl, & Ruwhiu, 2018)
To suit the needs of this study, the results are presented in a tabular manner and crafted into 1) management practices of rural ecotourism attractions, wherein governance is under the Local Government Unit tourism sectors, 2) the problems encountered in the rural ecotourism, and 3) displays the comparison of responses on the management practices of ecotourism attractions when grouped according to category using the aforementioned statistical tools
This paper examined the management bearings of rural ecotourism

Summary

Introduction

Ecotourism, tourism with a low environmental impact, contributes to local proceeds (Anup, Ghimire, & Dhakal, 2020; Renkert, 2019; Snyman & Bricker, 2019; Juma & Khademi-Vidra, 2019), the decisionmaking process of the regulatory governance (Zacarias & Layola, 2017; Blumstein, Geffroy, Samia, & Bessa, 2017), and economic diversification (Amoamo, Ruckstuhl, & Ruwhiu, 2018). The pivotal role of ecotourism can accrue economic opportunities for the local community. In New Zealand, Maori ecotourism presents the contribution to economic generation through investment in and supports the building of capacity and enterprises (Amoamo et al, 2018; Prasetyo, Carr, & Filep, 2020). It is inclined with Ethiopia, ecotourism as a means of satisfying the funding requirement for effective management of protected areas (Admasu, 2020). The continued expansion of ecotourism has created opportunities for income generation and employment, at both the national and local levels in Costa Rica (Schultis, 2018; Jones & Spadafora, 2016). Ecotourism, in Nepal, has contributed significantly to the alleviation of rural poverty and remedying gender inequalities (Anup, 2016)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion