Taoid: communal heritage tourism through a multi-stakeholder approach in the Philippines

ABSTRACT

Using qualitative research methods, this article assesses stakeholders’ perspectives and views on implementing sustainability and development in a municipality in the Philippines. Specifically focusing on Cultural Heritage Conservation and Tourism, the research conducted a virtual focus group discussion with primary and secondary stakeholders, guided by semi-structured aide-memoires and content analysis of documents. Prioritising multi-stakeholder collaboration and coordination in conceptualising, implementing, and monitoring programmes and projects for tourism development and heritage conservation, findings show that in developing projects and programmes, the community's heritage significance is a useful framework and put forth a conceptual model, a San Nicoleño Sustainable Cultural and Heritage Tourism Development Framework, using the municipality as a case study.

KEYWORDS:

• Community
• heritage
• multi-stakeholder
• tourism
• sustainable heritage tourism development

Acknowledgements

The researchers would like to extend their greatest appreciation and gratitude to the following individuals and institutions who provided their resources in the conduct of conceptualising and finalising the project: The Municipal Government of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, headed by Hon. Alfredo P. Valdez, Jr., M.D., Mr. Richie Gielbys B. Cavinta, the Senior Tourism Operations Officer, Municipal Government of San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte, superiors from the University of Santo Tomas (UST), Manila, specifically, Prof. Michael Anthony C. Vasco, Ph.D., the Dean of the UST Graduate School, Rev. Fr. Rodel E. Aligan, O.P., the Regent of the UST Graduate School, Assoc. Prof. Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado, DCL, CHE, the Dean of the UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Rev. Fr. Roland D. Mactal, OP, SThD, the Regent of the UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, and Asst. Prof. Maria Regina Policarpio-Arriero, MA from the UST Department of English.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).