Day-asan Ecotom Site: Assessing Sustainable Carrying Capacity uris| InformativeBD

Medielyn M. Odtojan, and Meycel C. Amarille, from the different institute of the Philippines. wrote a research article about' Day-asan Ecotom Site: Assessing Sustainable Carrying Capacity uris. entitled, Carrying capacity assessment of the ecotourism site of day-asan, Surigao City towards sustainable ecotourism. This research paper published by the Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences | JBES. an open access scholarly research journal on Biodiversity, under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences | INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Carrying Capacity is a tool to prevent and control overutilization of the tourist spots through the identification of the ideal use level of visitors who can use the site. Recently, numerous eco-tourism has been developed and the uncontrolled growth of visitors leading to overcrowding has brought immense concern for sustainable tourism. The study assessed the carrying capacity of Day-asan ecotourism area as a basis for management planning. The Limits of Acceptable Change (LAC) framework was used to assess the carrying capacity. An opportunity sampling was conducted to 182 visitors and stratified random sampling for the 206 residents using a structured questionnaire. Key Informant Interview (KII) was carried out to the members of the Barangay Council, tourism investors/operators, and staff of the local tourism staff. Results showed that the current condition of the ecotourism in Day-asan does not pose any threat to its build environment, ecology, people, and economic status of the area. The maximum number of visitors received in a day in the area is 345 spent mostly on swimming, and the calculated carrying capacity estimate is 813 visitors per day which is way higher than the maximum number of visitors received in the area in a day. The results of this study can serve as a basis for the Local Government Unit (LGU) and Surigao Tourism Office in crafting the Tourism Management Plan for the sustainability of the ecotourism site in Day-asan.

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Introduction

Ecotourism generates profits for the host communities and provides revenue for the protection and conservation of the area. It is usually an excursion to natural areas to learn the cultural and natural antiquity of the environment without altering the natural ecosystem while providing opportunities in the economy for the conservation of natural resources. When it provides a positive change in the economy, ecotourism can urge conservation and societal building however, it somehow introduces several changes to the host communities that may impact the social and economic structure of the area positively or negatively. (Hunter, 1997). Ecotourism became an integral activity in natural areas all over the world as it gives an opportunity to the visitors to ascertain the significance of conserving biodiversity and local culture. The International Ecotourism Society (2020) defined ecotourism as environmentally responsible tourism to natural areas that encompasses understanding and education to the travelers, and at the same time, sustain the well-being of local people while conserving the environment. It is said that ecotourism influences to enhance the natural environment where can funds be generated for the use of conservation and protection of the natural resource, to preserve the culture and history, as well as to set limits for sustainable use (Okech & Bob, 2009).

Carrying Capacity is a tool to prevent and control overutilization of the tourist spots through the identification of the ideal use level of visitors who can use the site. Recently, numerous ecotourism has been developed and the uncontrolled growth of visitors leading to overcrowding has brought immense concern for sustainable tourism. In a global context, carrying capacity developed functional management in terms of economical, ecological, and agricultural aspects. Whereas the local context of carrying capacity mostly applies such tools for economic and ecological aspects, specifically, tourism carrying capacity. Since tourism is booming in the Philippines, carrying capacity is important in planning towards a sustainable and lasting ecotourism site (H.A. Adorado, personal communication, September 2020). 

The concept of carrying capacity is engaged in an unusual broad-spectrum of studies and arguments, and it has been compellingly criticized by different fields (Hobbs et al., 2008). The study of Butler (1996) argues that utilization of such instruments gives instruments rise to imperceptibly incremental advancement and alters the profile of the tourists with regards to those more exposed to higher usage. However, it is essential for the concept of carrying capacity to be incorporated in the preparation of tourism and environmental sustainability regardless of challenges in measurement as introduced by administrations and other developers. There are many aspects of carrying capacity depending on focus. However, this study focuses on the four aspects of carrying capacity, the physical, ecological, social, and economic carrying capacity. The purpose of this research is to understand the current conditions of eco-tourism of Day-asan that will serve as an essential instrument for strengthening tourism and sustainability of the area.

Siargao which is part of the Province of Surigao del Norte became popular as the surfing capital of the Philippines. Because of this, the area became one of the favorite tourist spots in the country. Besides surfing, Surigao offers an array of natural wonders, there are the Silop multi-caves, Mabua Pebble Beach, Basul Island hopping, Lake Mainit, Rock Mineral Museum, and many others. But there are still a lot of people or travelers who don’t know that this off-thebeaten- path Surigao City has many other attractions to offer. One of them is Day-Asan Floating Village which is very accessible from the city center. This is one of the reasons why Day-asan Ecotourism is chosen as a study site. 

Though many other tourist sites are surrounding Surigao City, the Day-as an is the nearest and has the easiest access. Most tourists prefer to stay in Dayasan where they could experience all in one what all other tourism spots can offer. The results of this study can contribute to the crafting of policies of the Barangay Local Government of Day-asan as well as to the tourism plan of Surigao City for the sustainability of the existing and the proposed ecotourism sites in the city and within the province.

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