Stakeholder collaboration, a solution to overtourism? A case study on Sagada, the Philippines

Abstract

This study explores overtourism in the resort town of Sagada, the Philippines, which has experienced an influx of tourists over the past few years. Qualitative methods – including in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, participant observation, and informal conversations – were used to collect data from 2017 to 2019. A conceptual framework using systems theory guides the data analysis while social exchange and stakeholder theories are also employed. Research findings suggest that although Sagada has immense problems, including inadequate facilities, lack of policies, and insufficient preparedness, stakeholder collaboration has helped mitigate the problems brought by mass tourists. This study finds that when community cooperation is attained, issues brought about by overtourism can be mitigated, and solutions can be crafted.

摘要

本研究探讨了菲律宾度假小镇萨加达（Sagada）的过度旅游, 在过去的几年里, 这里经历了大量的游客涌入。本文采用定性方法, 包括深度访谈、焦点小组讨论、参与观察和非正式对话, 收集2017年至2019年的数据。本文运用系统理论的概念框架指导数据分析, 同时也使用社会交换和利益相关者理论。研究结果表明, 尽管萨加达存在巨大的问题, 包括设施不足、政策缺乏和准备不充分, 但利益相关者的合作有助于缓解了大量游客带来的问题。本研究发现, 当社区合作得以实现时, 过度旅游带来的问题可以得到缓解, 并可以制定出解决方案。

Keywords:

• Overtourism
• mass tourism
• social exchange theory
• stakeholder theory
• systems theory
• collaboration

关键词:

• 过度旅游
• 大众旅游
• 社会交换理论
• 利益相关者理论
• 系统理论
• 合作

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jennifer Pasion Loverio

Ms. Jennifer Pasion Loverio is a Ph.D. student at the National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism. She is also an Assistant Professor at the Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management at the University of the Philippines - Diliman. Her research interests include environmental sustainability, tourist experience, food safety, hospitality and technology.

Li-Hsin Chen

Dr. Li-Hsin Chen is an Assistant Professor, The International Master’s Program of Tourism and Hospitality at National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism (NKUHT). Her research interests include coffee/tea tourism, bicycle tourism, dual attitudes model, indirect measurement, experiencescape, service design, and multi-sensory marketing. Email: [email protected] 

Ching-Cheng Shen

Dr. Ching-Cheng Shen is an Associate Professor in the Graduate Institute at the Tourism of National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism, Taiwan. His research expertise includes agricultural tourism, religious tourism, tourism marketing. Email:sccheng.nkuht.edu.tw