Boon or bane? Ecotourism and its socio-economic and cultural effects in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.

Abstract

This is a case control study of ecotourism and its socio-economic and cultural effects in Barangay Sabang, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. Emphasis on the concepts of community development and cultural integrity from the definition of ecotourism itself were used to examine to what extent the industry has affected the local communities in socio-economic and cultural dimensions. A comparison between an ecotourism and a non-ecotourism community was also employed in order to know which is better off. The researcher used triangulation of methods through participant observation, interviews, and survey among 124 respondents from the two communities. As a conclusion, economic incentives from the industry greatly influence other aspects of the community such as its cultural identity and notions of propriety. These incentives as well as the industry itself are controlled by foreign entities such as investors and tourists, which have greatly proliferated in the community. As a result, the industry becomes a tool for domination by external forces and leaves the local residents as well as the destination commodified.