Eco-tourism in the Philippines: Educational and recreational value of the Alayan cave systems

• Main Authors: Gallato, Cristina G., Reamillo, Kristy Aireen Gallato, Valdez, Nena P., Warokka, Ari, Abdullah, Haim Hilman
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Inderscience Publishers 2012
• Subjects: G Geography (General)
• Online Access: http://repo.uum.edu.my/9492/1/1.pdf; http://repo.uum.edu.my/9492/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/JGBA.2012.049509
• Institution: Universiti Utara Malaysia

In this paper, we calculate the related costs of transport, food, accommodation and time involved as well as the rate of visits as compared to the costs, and the benefits from the Alayan Cave System (ACS), by using the Individual Travel Cost Method (ITCM) to determine the educational and recreational values of the site.Data came from the linear recreational demand for the site at the Department of Tourism - RO2 statistical records.We also determine the expenditures of the guests on off–site and on–site tourism–related activities and establishments to provide a more solid base for tourism policymakers, planners and decision makers in the region, towards a better tourism tax system for the sustainability of the ACS. Study outcomes provide insight into how the locals or indigenous people living nearby can take advantage of the benefits/opportunities derived from the site.