Proposed Sustainable Voluntourism Guidelines for Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines

Abstract

The study conducted on Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines, aimed to assess the impact of voluntourism on socio-cultural, environmental, and economic aspects. The researcher used a descriptive survey form, collecting data from 347 purposively chosen respondents. Here are the key findings from the study: 1) Before Typhoon Yolanda, many tourists went to Bantayan Island, and the local people benefited from them; however, after the typhoon, fewer tourists went to the Island, which directly affected the life of the local people; 2) All the respondents perceived that voluntourism helped the socio-cultural, economics and environment of the local people in Bantayan Island; 3) There is no significant difference in the perceptions of the respondents on the impact of voluntourism to the socio-cultural and economics dimensions in Bantayan Island; however, there is a significant difference in their perceptions towards the impact of voluntourism to the environment; 4) The tourists and the local people have a different perception about the impact of voluntourism to the environment with a p-value .003 which is significant; 5) There is a significant. The study concludes that voluntourism significantly contributes to the socio-economic, economic, and environmental well-being of Bantayan Island. However, its sustainability hinges on addressing all relevant elements and recognizing their interconnectedness. Collaboration Among Stakeholders: All tourism stakeholders in Bantayan Island should unite as a team, sharing a common vision and strategies. Capacity Building: The public and private sectors of Bantayan Island’s tourism industry should organize seminars and training programs. Local Ordinances: Bantayan Island’s local government units should craft and approve local ordinances. These regulations will safeguard the socio-cultural, economic, and environmental aspects, guiding the activities of both foreign and local tourists. Community Involvement: The local people of Bantayan Island should actively participate in the planning and development of voluntourism programs. Regular Evaluation: Continuous assessment of the voluntourism program by all stakeholders is essential to ensure its long-term sustainability. Reference for Future Research: Future researchers can utilize the findings of this study as a valuable reference to gain an in-depth understanding of the topic.