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Improving Tourism in Apo Island

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The document discusses a midterm exam for a group to complete. The group is asked to identify a tourist destination in their province, list the positive and negative impacts of tourism there…

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Maria Theresa
  • Midterm Exam Instructions
  • Tourism Impact Analysis - Apo Island
  • Negative Tourism Impacts - Apo Island
  • Strategies for Mitigating Negative Impacts
  • Further Recommendations for Apo Island

Midterm Exam

Collaborate with your group and perform the following:

Identify a tourist destination/attraction within your province/region.

List the positive and negative impacts of tourism in your identified destination/attraction and

Provide proof of such impacts in the area (news articles, images).

Provide recommendations to improve the listed positive impacts of tourism in the destination/attraction

Provide solutions to reduce the listed negative impacts of tourism in the destination/attraction.

“Apo Island, Negros Oriental”

Apo Island is a small, natural island


with calm, clear waters
surrounding it. It’s ideal for
underwater sports like snorkeling
and diving, and it’s even been
named one of the world’s top dive
locations. Divers can see a wide
variety of marine life near Apo
Island, including big-eyed jacks,
hump-head wrasses,
hammerheads, manta rays, and
even tuna. The island’s white sand
is pristine, and it’s filled with
unusual rock formations. Apo
Positive Impact of Tourism in Apo Island Negros
Oriental

The positivel impact of tourism in Apo Island is that income generated from all activities has aided over
1,000 people in Apo Island, or roughly 197 households, who have acquired access to better education,
health facilities, and even a better lifestyle, such as renting motor bancas.

[Link]

Provide recommendations to improve the listed positive impacts of tourism in the


destination/attraction

Negative Impact of Tourism in Apo Island Negros Oriental


The island’s growing population, as well as tourism-related activities, have created certain
environmental issues. According to one study, the amount of solid garbage on the island has increased
dramatically. Despite the presence of mooring buoys and laws limiting the number of scuba divers on
each reef at any given time, coral breakage due to fin and anchor damage grew substantially (Reboton
and Calumpong 2000). Tensions have also been reported to have arisen between tourist divers and
some local fisherman, who allege that a large number of scuba divers pushed schools of fish away from
excellent fishing sites. There have also been reports of fish traps.

Despite strong conservation efforts and strict implementation of PAMB management policies, the DENR
Region VII recognized some emerging problems and concerns in Apo Island in 2007, including: 1) the
degradation of the marine environment and biodiversity due to unregulated anchorage, illegal fishing,
unregulated scuba diving, and wanton throwing of solid waste into the sea; and the degradation of the
marine environment and biodiversity due to unregulated anchorage, illegal fishing, unregulated scuba
diving, and wanton throwing of solid waste into the sea. [Link] of the island’s vegetative cover as
a result of forest lands being converted to marginal agriculture, trees being cut down to meet the
growing demand for firewood and timber, and forest lands being converted to residential areas; and 3)
infrastructure development as a result of tourism-related needs (DENR VII-AIPLS 2007).

Inadequate logistical support, such as a lack of skilled people on the part of the implementing agency,
inadequately equipped marine patrols known locally as Bantay-Dagat, inadequate motor-driven boats,
and weak monitoring equipment, have exacerbated the situation. One of the biggest challenges on Apo
Island today is the lack of financial resources to enable PAMB to successfully carry out the needs of day-
to-day management of the marine protected area (MPA).

[Link]

Provide solutions to reduce the listed negative impacts of tourism in the destination/attractions

The following are some of the strategies and programs that the local and national governments should
seriously consider.

1. Seek the usual cooperation from residents and other stakeholders by encouraging shared ownership
of Apo Island’s MPA management program. To do this, the objective of the conservation program must
be fully explained, understood and appreciated by each member of the community. If possible, the full
cost or value of Apo Island as a marine resource must be stressed. If residents are not made part of the
program, they will become less cooperative and interested in preserving Apo Island’s resources. If the
residents gain a sense of ownership over the management of the MPA, support from them should come
easily and naturally.

2. Provide livelihood programs in which everyone has an equal chance of earning. During conversations
with island officials and inhabitants, salt manufacturing was highlighted as one of the livelihood projects.
Before embarking on this project, a feasibility study must be done, and if it is proven to be viable, PAMB
should fully support local officials and locals in establishing the livelihood initiative.
3. Increase the number of people who are learning how to earn a living. According to several local
inhabitants, one of the reasons why local folks were unable to fully appreciate and enjoy the chances
that eco-tourism activities can provide was the lack of a training and livelihood program.

4. Increase funding for local inhabitants’ livelihood projects, as well as power and water facilities.
Residents will be more helpful and responsive to DENR’s conservation efforts as a result of this.

5. More research should be encouraged. A complete assessment of the marine resource is required.
Apart from the government, every stakeholder, through DENR and its administration, must be aware of
Apo Island’s entire value.

Common questions

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Policy changes could enhance regulatory frameworks for tourism activities, ensure sustainable infrastructure development, and protect natural resources while promoting environmentally friendly tourism practices. Incentives for eco-friendly businesses and penalties for violations can further support sustainability .

Tourism has led to increased solid waste and coral damage due to unregulated activities, such as anchorage and scuba diving, impacting marine biodiversity . Mitigation efforts should focus on enhancing regulatory measures, strengthening community-led conservation programs, and improving logistical and financial support for marine patrols .

Tourism has generated income for over 1,000 people on Apo Island, allowing access to better education and healthcare, and improving the local lifestyle . To enhance these positive impacts, sustainable livelihood programs should be developed, focusing on equitable economic opportunities and community involvement in tourism programs .

Local economic needs, such as fishing and timber demand, conflict with conservation due to unregulated resource use and conversion of forest lands for agriculture and residential purposes . Engaging the community in shared resource management programs and developing alternative livelihoods could align local economy with conservation goals .

The government and stakeholders must enhance funding and logistical support, enforce strict environmental regulations, and promote sustainable tourism practices. Their role also includes facilitating community-based management programs and supporting research to inform policy decisions .

Recommendations include fostering community ownership of conservation programs, increasing funding for livelihood and infrastructure improvements, and expanding education on environmental impacts. Developing skills for alternative income sources, such as salt manufacturing, can divert pressure from ecologically sensitive areas .

To increase community involvement, it's vital to incorporate locals in decision-making processes, sponsor regular educational campaigns about the marine ecosystem's value, and provide financial incentives and training programs related to eco-tourism .

Strategies include establishing cooperative business models that ensure profit-sharing, offering training programs for better job opportunities within the tourism sector, and developing local enterprises that cater to tourists, thereby increasing direct benefits to residents .

Vegetative cover degradation results in loss of biodiversity and soil erosion, which diminishes the island’s ecological resilience. This, in turn, affects the island's economic sustainability by degrading land available for tourism and local agriculture, necessitating alternate economic solutions .

Challenges include inadequate logistical support, lack of skilled personnel, insufficient funding, and weaknesses in monitoring equipment. Additionally, the absence of community engagement undermines conservation efforts . Community participation and increased government funding could address these challenges .

Midterm Exam Collaborate with your group and perform the following: Identify a tourist destination/attraction within your pro
The island’s growing population, as well as tourism-related activities, have created certain environmental issues. According
3. Increase the number of people who are learning how to earn a living. According to several local inhabitants, one of the r

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