The Development and Management of Beach Resorts: Boracay Island, The Philippines

Abstract

This paper deals with questions of beach resort development processes and their management. Issues are discussed within the context of Boracay Island in the Philippines, which is a popular destination, but one that is at risk from uncontrolled growth. The framework for the analysis is an existing model, and comparisons between it and the case reveal similarities and divergences. Findings suggest the unique qualities of individual resorts arising from local and national circumstances, but indicate more general patterns and attendant challenges that have a wider applicability. Development models are also seen to be useful, despite their limitations.

Political Ecology, Island Tourism Planning, and Climate Change Adaptation on Boracay, Philippines

“…This is in keeping with the TALC model's stagnation stage, in which significant deterioration of tourism assets and the breeching of carrying capacities inhibits further growth and necessitates stakeholder intervention, especially by government (Butler, 1980). Recent studies have highlighted that the island may already have entered TALC's decline stage, meaning that, absent intervention, it will not become the kind of tourism metropolis predicted by some models (Smith et al, 2011). This active involvement from the public sector and various stakeholders necessitates intensive political negotiation as tourism development will only be able to make a positive contribution to the island without further social, economic, and environmental degradation when current stakeholder relationships are evaluated and acted upon (Butler, 2006).…”

“…Boracay has been an overwhelming success in terms of the tourism industry, and its visitor arrivals outnumber all other Philippine small island destinations according to Department of Tourism statistics. However, current development on the island, which has been subject to rapid tourism urbanisation, points to a stagnation stage in the Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC) model, with massive intervention needed to avoid environmental, infrastructural, and visitor experience degradation (Smith et al, 2011). Indeed, although Boracay is frequently portrayed as a tourism gem, it is cited in the literature as an example of tourism gone wrong, with a myriad of environmental and social problems (Carter, 2004;Ong et al, 2011).…”

Climate Variability in the Origin Countries as a “Push” Factor on Tourist Arrivals in the Philippines

“…The Philippines, with its long sandy beaches, especially White Beach on Boracay Island, and its rich natural and cultural heritage is an ideal destination for those seeking "sun and sand" holidays or even socio-cultural experiences (Hendersen, 2011;Smith, Henderson, Chong, Tay, & Jingwen, 2011). Tourist arrivals have been steadily increasing since 2002 (Figure 1), after experiencing a low point during the presidency of Mrs Gloria Arroyo (2001-2010) due to various political and internal disturbances.…”

Boracay Island Destination Image Through Travel Blogs

“…According to the authors, congestion may be explained by the regulation "One-Entry/Exit Policy" or the "OE, OE," wherein there is one entry and exit point in the island port. Popular modes of transport on the island (post-closure) included motorcycles and motorized tricycles, which usually crowd the narrow roads, polluting the air (Smith et al 2011). Some tourists in Boracay, especially international visitors, complained about the poor maintenance of transportation going to the island, including airport facilities.…”

“…There have been studies that have discussed adverse impacts of tourism to locals: Atis in Boracay (Trousdale 1999, Ong et al 2011, Mah Meri ethnic group in Malaysia (Kunasekaran et al 2017), Taquile Island in Peru (Osorio and Best 2015), and Ngöbe settlements in Panama (Mach and Vahradian 2019). Several studies have also highlighted the importance of local participation and engagement in planning and governance (Tousdale 1999, Ong et al 2011, Smith et al 2011, especially in the development of coastal zoning processes (Wong 2008) and other local plans (Carter 2004), as they understood the sensitivities of their cultures and natural environment.…”