Perception of Kabayan Residents on Tourism Industry of the Locality

Abstract

growing tourism industry of the municipality of Kabayan. This study was conducted from December 2015 to January 2016 at Kabayan, Benguet. A total of 100 respondents were interviewed to know the perceptions of the residents on Kabayan Tourism Industry and whether there is a relationship between socio- cultural profiles and their perceptions. Perceptions on the tourism industry of the locality of Kabayan were divided into three aspects. Economic, socio-cultural and environmental aspects. The study used 5- point scale in showing the level of agreement or disagreement on the perceived statements. In general, residents were positive on the effects of tourism in the locality although acknowledging some negative effects on each aspect. There were no serious problems brought by the tourism industry in the locality as shown from the results. The study used 4-point scale in indicating whether the perceived problems were a problem or not. Most of the perceived problems by the residents were slight and the shortage of water is not perceived to be a problem. All the suggestions of the residents for the improvement of the locality’s tourism industry were focused on the maintenance, development and promotion of the tourism sites and products of Kabayan. The symmetric measures Pearson product moment and Chi-square test were used to analyze whether there was a relationship of socio-cultural profiles to perceptions on tourism. The findings proved that there was a small and substantial relationship of most of the socio- economic profiles of the respondents with their perceptions.