Chapter 3

SWOT ANALYSIS

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM OF BORACAY, AKLAN, PHILIPPINES

Strengths

 White sand Beach and water activities attracts tourist

 The uniqueness of the island and the coral reefs

 Accessibility and visibility of the island

 Improvement of living standards

 Accommodation for every budget

Weaknesses

 Beach Erosion

 Improper Waste Management

 Malfunction of sewage system

 High concentration of fecal coliform in Beaches

 Disappearance of wetlands

Opportunities

 Promotion of a world class tourism

 Booming and establishing economy

 Expected increase of domestic and international tourism

 Expected increase of domestic and international flights

 More livelihood for the natives of the island

Threats
  Overpopulation of the tourist

 Harm health of the tourist

 Economic slowdown

 Expenses in the improvement of the sewage System

 Environmental Degradation

Analysis

The Philippines tourism industry is thriving over the years and creating many opportunities for

the economy and the local people such as in Boracay Island. The island transition from having

traditional tourism Nipa accommodation, traditional bamboo facilities has been modified to European

style as the results of modernization. Tourism visiting the islands and related facilities increases over the

years with new development.

On the other hand the local people lifestyle and physical environment changes overtime as

the results of tourism. Fishermen tend to search for better employment opportunities in tourism for

survival rather than venture into fulltime fishermen. There is a need to understand tourism development

and its impact.

Urban development on Boracay Island became the priority for tourism for the past

two decades which placed the Island on the list of the world’s top tourism destinations.

The original motivation for travellers to come to the island – the white powder beaches,

rich marine life and the serenity of the island – has been relegated to the sidelines in the

planning process. In the meanwhile, tourism industry in the country was boosted

significantly as Boracay became a brand – the best white sand beaches with the amenities

and activities of a developed city.

of ecology, with all the tourism developments existing on the island, and still counting,

the natural contour and physical attributes of the island are experiencing stress. Boracay

being the jewel island of Philippine tourism is rapidly depleting its resources to cater to

more and more commercial tourist needs.

The Boracay experience can also be considered a social experiment because a

society and culture of various nationalities in a small island setting is evolving – a

community of members who contribute their own cultures into a new society that is

unique to Boracay. About 25,000 residents are estimated to be residing on the island – a

mixture of local Aklanon, and the Filipino and non-Filipino expatriates – who have all

become stewards of the island in their own right.

There is a new opportunity to reflect on what Boracay used to be – nature and

environment at its best – and move forward to re-branding the island as a world-class

ecotourism destination and a home to the new stewards of the island, leaving a natural

legacy for the future generations to cherish.

In 1978, Boracay Island was one of the islands in the Philippines declared as

“tourist zones and marine reserves”. Any development projects or construction for any

purpose were not allowed without the approval of the Philippine President. The then

Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) was tasked to delineate well defined geographic

areas within the zone with potential tourism value, promulgate rules and reg ulations, and

coordinate the integrated development of these areas for the optimum use of natural assets

and attractions as well as existing facilities.

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) System having been declared a tourist zone in

1978. The fact that most parts of the island are unclassified land, meaning that most of

these lands are still considered forest land, makes any development or construction

project on the island an environmentally critical project.4 This implies that all projects

within the zone were to undergo EIA.

With the increase in number of tourists came a corresponding increase in

development. PTA spearheaded the construction of the main road plying through the

middle of the island, from North to South, followed by the sewerage system. Source of

water was still ground water until the 90s. Public transportation on the island has not been

developed until the roads main road was completed.

Up until the late 90s, coming to Boracay was only via land transfer from Iloilo

City, which had an airport then five hours away from the jump-off point to the Island.

Boracay can also be reached by land from Kalibo (2 hours away) which had a pier for

boats coming from Manila. A few pump boats, mostly fishing boats which doubled as

passenger boats, carried passengers from Caticlan to the Island. The boat trip took about

five to ten minutes, depending on the weather. Passengers would be brought directly to

the long White Beach boat stations.

According to locals, tourist arrivals in the 70s and 80s increased because of

foreign expat travelers visiting the place from other Southeast Asian countries. One

theory they attribute this increased popularity to was the filming in 1970 on Boracay

Island of the movie “Too Late The Hero” starring Michael Caine, set in the last months

of World War II. Another theory was the publication of a German travel writer’s account
of his visit to the island in the 80s, which encouraged European backpackers to trek this

Philippine paradise island.

However, regardless of the reasons for the rising number of tourist arrivals, the

President subsequently recognized the increasing number of tourists visiting Boracay

Island. With this came the need to prevent the proliferation of activities that would

degrade the ecosystem and destroy the natural attractions of the Island. In 1983, The

Mayor of Malay was also mandated to suspend the issuance of building permits for any

structure on the Island until the Philippine Tourism Authority would promulgate a

development plan.

Apparently, the construction of more buildings became more rampant despite this

directive from the President. Diving and other leisure activities were also introduced

within this decade, encouraging more people to visit the island. Despite the

inconvenience of traveling to the island at that time, and electricity and fresh water were

still non-existent, the island was placed as one of the best beaches in the tourism map by

backpacker Europeans.

In the meantime, the degradation of the resources of the country has been

continuing. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources initiated the drafting

of the Philippine Strategy for Sustainable Development in 1987. The strategy aimed to

address specifically the adverse impact of growth and development, and the depletion and

degradation of natural resources due mainly to misuse and over exploitation. The sectors

identified, however, did not include the tourism industry. Nevertheless, the tourism

sector, through the Department of Tourism, recognized the impact of the tourism industry
on Boracay Island and its marine and coastal environments, and the socio-cultural

development of its people.

The strength of the island indeed contributes a lot to what it has become on the

positive aspect, nevertheless this is also the main reason for its demise. On the contrary,

we can never deny the fact that such destruction based on the weaknesses listed shows

the participation of humanity. As their activities take full course on strengthening the

herein listed weaknesses, it surely did destroy the island and have exploited the nature at

the very edge. It was a saddening truth, hence, the opportunity for the island to boost up

its name in terms of tourism industry and went far greater heights as it was tagged as one

of the most well-loved and favorites tourist spot in the Philippine archipelago. However,

with the threats faced by the island of Boracay since no man can ever control or take

grasp of what will happened in the near time, surely no man could ever tell.

The future that of Boracay Island is still blurry, though we hope to see more of

this beautiful creation of God. No one could really tell what will become of it in the end.

The only thing that would matter is that the strengths it has should be strengthened to

overpower the threats and weaknesses it has for more opportunities to come and for the

name Boracay Island rise again and soar up to greater heights.

SWOT ANALYSIS

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM OF THE CHOCOLATE HILLS, BOHOL,

Strengths
  Special Characteristics

 Scientific Importance

 Uniqueness of the structure

 High Scenic Value

 Among the country’s protected areas.

Weaknesses

 Loss of the unique hill landscape preferred by tourists

 Occurrence of Earthquakes and other natural disasters

 Manmade Activities leading to the destruction of the place

 Mining and Quarrying

 Political Interest

Opportunities

 Promotion of environmental, historical and cultural and cultural heritage

and raise the quality of services and facilities related to tourism

 Booming and establishing economy

 Expected increase of domestic and international tourism

 Expected increase of domestic and international flights

 More livelihood for the natives of the place

Threats

 Many Tourists Spots Arises

 Harm health of the tourist

 Development of the Area

 Environmental Degradation

Analysis

Chocolate Hills just like the name itself chocolate is really addictive and one

would surely want to visit this place and come back over and over again to experience

such wonderful view. Its strengths that lies primarily to the uniqueness of its structure

that really looks like chocolate kisses and attain such high scenic value surely a main

reason for its scientific importance. However, due to some constraints being face by the

Boholanos, it should be noted that this place should serve as one of the country’s

protected areas. Balancing their protection, resource utilization and tourism are the

challenges faced by the Chocolate Hills. Before they were designated national geological

monuments, some of the hills were classified as alienable and disposable or private lands

such that they were titled to some locals.

However, we cannot deny the mere fact that nobody can stop the occurrences of

natural disasters, and when one is bombarded with such calamities, rising up or restoring

said area will be difficult. Surely only time could tell when will things will fall into or go

back to what it was before. But the fact considering that it is not only the nature that is

taking its curse on people, but the dominions and wrongdoings of people and their illegal

activities will also take part on the destruction of what was once protected by the people.

Mining and quarrying really affects the area and this is because of the personal interests

of the people. The greed for power and for money will really envelope their sanity thus

blinding them to the reality of the current situation of the place.

assets and source of income for small-scale miners, as well as quarry materials for the

province's construction projects. The challenge is how the national and local officials can

harmonize the current needs of small-scale miners, the construction sector and the

tourism sector with the preservation of the Chocolate Hills.

Even with their protected status, mining permits continue to be granted by DENR

and local government units or LGUs. Hence, mining and quarrying are still taking place.

Because of this, the provincial government of Bohol has requested for the transfer of

jurisdiction over the Chocolate Hills from the DENR to the provincial government of

Bohol.

It is entirely a great deal booming the localities name with the existence of famous

tourist spots in the country. With this, we are able to promote the environmental,

historical and cultural as well as cultural heritage and even raise the quality of services

and facilities related to tourism. This will not only help in booming the locality but as

well as aide in the economic aspect. There will be an expected increase in the domestic

and international tourism. We know so well that with the help of the new technology and

social media, it is easier to promote the tourist spot and will invite lots of travelers and

investors all throughout the world. Wherever they maybe, surely accessing and travelling

will be made easier for them. This also opens up a lot of job opportunities to the natives

where they can also promote their homemade products and could gain big profits.

However, alongside with the opportunities being open up by the social media

today, there are also threats that can be associated with it. Now, it is easier to promote

many tourists spots all over the country, with just one click, it is not new that everyday
there a lot of new tourist spots being unravel, thus waking the curiosity of the people and

would want them to explore them. Thus, causing a great impact on the economic aspect

of the other tourist spots to be affected. At times, this cause those to resort to the

development of the area, wherein they will be able to showcase something new that

would then again turn the heads of the traveler and their curiosity to check out for what

the latter would offer. In times like this, the environment is surely affected for when

worst comes to worst it is degraded and would eventually harm also the health of the

tourist and would eventually have a great impact once again to the tourism industry.

There are also mounting complaints of mismanagement and poor service at the

government-owned and operated Chocolate Hills complex and restaurant. Added to this

is the increase in the number of tourists visiting the Chocolate Hills which has caused

traffic problems and safety issues, particularly in the Chocolate Hills complex in Carmen,

Bohol.

Future development and investment challenges within the Chocolate Hills area

include: obtaining the national government's sanction for the project; persuading

landowners to sell; convincing the Protected Areas Management Board or PAMB, which

has jurisdiction over the hills, not to use its veto power over any investment requiring

physical facilities.

Investment challenges include speculators bidding up property prices in the area,

raising the potential cost of a proposed project. Persuading investors to put their money

into the poorer parts of Bohol is complicated by communist guerrillas who extort money

from local officials.

development, but the provincial government is not taking any chances to risk Bohol's

environment in the name of progress.

It is said that Bohol’s sustainable tourism is not only an active promotion

of green tourism but a decisive measure to mitigate threats of climate change and impact

of calamities that affect the tourism sector. Sustainable tourism should be a model for all

tourist destinations across the country to maintain the natural environment, promote socio

cultural heritage and push economic growth in provinces.