SUSTAINABILITY OF TOURISM PLANNING IN THE PROVINCE OF MARINDUQUE

Abstract

Despite many studies on the sustainable tourism, there have been few that focused on the integration of sustainable tourism principles in the tourism planning process and the challenges the local stakeholders are facing in its implementation particularly in the small island province. This study aimed to determine the extent of incorporating the sustainable tourism practices in the tourism planning process and the challenges in faced by the local stakeholders in its implementation in the small island province of Marinduque. The study also aimed to determine the significant relationship of the demographics in their responses and the significant difference between the responses of the major stakeholders involved in tourism planning- (1) government (2) Private sector (3) community. The result of this study revealed that a significant relationship with Age and Status of employment on their perceptions and no significant difference with Sex and Highest Educational Attainment. Significant differences were found among the stakeholders on their perceptions of incorporating sustainable tourism principles in the tourism planning process at the local level in the province of Marinduque. The challenges encountered were community not involved in tourism planning (R); insufficient human resource in tourism; lack of proper planning; tourism is not prioritized; lack of involvement of stakeholders in tourism planning; and conflicting policy of the local government agencies related to tourism; education of stakeholders. It was recommended that the prioritization of tourism; assessment of tourism situation; and assessment stakeholders’ awareness are needed before starting any plans in tourism.