Community-based Tourism Community-based Tourism in Donsol, Sorsogonin Donsol, Sorsogon

Carlos M. Libosada Jr.Carlos M. Libosada Jr.Assistant ProfessorAssistant ProfessorUniversity of the PhilippinesUniversity of the PhilippinesAsian Institute of TourismAsian Institute of Tourism

DonsolDonsol

Located in the province Located in the province of Sorsogonof Sorsogon

A 4A 4thth class municipality class municipality High level of High level of

unemploymentunemployment Fishing and farming as Fishing and farming as

main economic main economic activitiesactivities

Zero tourismZero tourism

Before TourismBefore Tourism

The whale sharks were not bothered with by The whale sharks were not bothered with by the peoplethe people

Whale sharks were already being hunted in Whale sharks were already being hunted in some parts of the Philippinessome parts of the Philippines

Whale sharks were killed for the fins and Whale sharks were killed for the fins and exported. Locals dried the meat as.exported. Locals dried the meat as.

Later, the shark’s fin market adapted to the Later, the shark’s fin market adapted to the new delicacy called whale shark tofunew delicacy called whale shark tofu

When whale sharks were When whale sharks were “discovered” in Donsol“discovered” in Donsol

Three whale sharks were killed in two weeksThree whale sharks were killed in two weeks A single whale shark could enrich a fisherman A single whale shark could enrich a fisherman

by as much as 100,000 pesosby as much as 100,000 pesos If there were 50 whale sharks, local fishermen If there were 50 whale sharks, local fishermen

could earn a total of 5 million pesoscould earn a total of 5 million pesos

But at what price?But at what price?

Potential Effects of Whale Shark Potential Effects of Whale Shark HarvestingHarvesting

Short-term riches to Short-term riches to somesome fishermen fishermen Entire whale shark population may be wiped Entire whale shark population may be wiped

out in a single yearout in a single year Lost long-term economic opportunityLost long-term economic opportunity Donsol will remain in the same state before the Donsol will remain in the same state before the

whale sharks were “discovered”whale sharks were “discovered” Area-wide poverty will remain in the areaArea-wide poverty will remain in the area

TourismTourism

Ecotourism was deemed as a practical Ecotourism was deemed as a practical alternative over fishingalternative over fishing

The whale sharks will be savedThe whale sharks will be saved The people will benefit on a long term against The people will benefit on a long term against

fishingfishing

RealitiesRealities

The people were not prepared for the sudden influx of The people were not prepared for the sudden influx of tourism in the areatourism in the area

There was a distinct lack of tourist facilities and There was a distinct lack of tourist facilities and services in the areaservices in the area

There was a danger of tourism introducing anarchy There was a danger of tourism introducing anarchy instead of opportunityinstead of opportunity

There was the possibility of outside investors getting There was the possibility of outside investors getting most of the opportunities resulting in massive leakage most of the opportunities resulting in massive leakage and lost economic benefits for the people of Donsoland lost economic benefits for the people of Donsol

ProgramsPrograms

Community preparation and stakeholder Community preparation and stakeholder organizationorganization

Identification of opportunities and constraintsIdentification of opportunities and constraints Management planning and workshopsManagement planning and workshops

ObjectivesObjectives

To ensure that the whale sharks are saved from To ensure that the whale sharks are saved from unsustainable and harmful fishing activities unsustainable and harmful fishing activities and provide a more sustainable form of and provide a more sustainable form of resource utilizationresource utilization

To ensure that the local communities of To ensure that the local communities of Donsol would directly benefit from the whale Donsol would directly benefit from the whale shark tourism programshark tourism program To provide jobs and economic opportunitiesTo provide jobs and economic opportunities

Organized StakeholdersOrganized Stakeholders

Butanding Interaction OfficersButanding Interaction Officers Boatmen AssociationBoatmen Association Homestay AssociationHomestay Association Tricycle Drivers AssociationTricycle Drivers Association Van Drivers and operatorsVan Drivers and operators Paddleboat Association (2004)Paddleboat Association (2004)

At 10 boats per day, the income to the people of Donsol was At 10 boats per day, the income to the people of Donsol was almost 100,000 pesos per dayalmost 100,000 pesos per day

Boat Hire – 25,000Boat Hire – 25,000

Accomm (@ 300/pax) – 18,000Accomm (@ 300/pax) – 18,000

Meals (150/meal X 3) - 27,000Meals (150/meal X 3) - 27,000

Shopping (200/pax) - 12,000Shopping (200/pax) - 12,000

Local Transport - 12,000Local Transport - 12,000

TOTAL - Php 94,000TOTAL - Php 94,000

Economic BenefitsEconomic Benefits

JobsJobs RevenueRevenue InvestmentsInvestments Added liquidityAdded liquidity

Major Present ChallengeMajor Present Challenge

How to increase the tourism season in DonsolHow to increase the tourism season in Donsol January – May, open season for whale shark January – May, open season for whale shark

interactioninteraction

New Major ProductNew Major Product

Firefly WatchingFirefly Watching BenefitsBenefits

Organization of paddleboat operatorsOrganization of paddleboat operators Increased use of present and future tourist facilitiesIncreased use of present and future tourist facilities Jobs will be more stableJobs will be more stable More investmentsMore investments

THANK YOUTHANK YOU