Public governance in rural ecotourism: The case of developing economy

Abstract

Over the past decade, global studies on ecotourism provide an illuminating hope for economic development (Sangpakil, 2017; Kim, Xie, & Cirella, 2019; Wahono, Poernomo, & Kusumah, 2019). However, fewer of these studies work on rural ecotourism. With hopes on the potentiality of rural ecotourism in Quirino Province, this research delved into the management bearings of rural ecotourism. Primarily, it trails the various management practices of ecotourism attractions and significant differences in the responses thereof including problems encountered in this management journey. Anent to, employed descriptive approach. Data were obtained from a survey questionnaire and were statistically analyzed through SPSS. Revealed thereof, management responsibilities on ecotourism sites are most practiced. Interestingly, among these practices training for tourist personnel, facilities, services and infrastructures, cultural heritage, and marketing seemed to be substantial and need attention. Also, problems, such as few numbers of tourist arrival noted, lack of equipment for recreational activities in ecotourism sites, and lack of parking areas were the factors that require attention. With these aforementioned revelations, a proposed sustainable development plan was moulded.