Nature and Impact of Tourism on the Subic Bay Protected Area

Abstract

The study evaluates the potential role that the Subic Bay Protected Area (SBPA) plays integrating the development of viable tourism industry in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone with the conversation of the biophysical and human environments; drawing together development and conversation issues within a framework that balances the need of both people and wildlife. There is an examination of tourism in general cazaral and how the industry can be made “greener” towards ecotourism. The study attempted to answer the following questions: 1) Who are the tourists of the SBPA?, 2) How does tourism impact on the biophysical, economic, and socio-cultural environment of the SBPA?, and 3) Are the presents policies of the SBMA adequate in conserving the natural resources of the SBPA?

The study assesses whether the variety of expectations generated by the ecotourism concept are being realized in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, from the standpoint of the visitor and the 'host' population. Materials and methods used include: wide ranging literary review, use of secondary data, interview, GIS maps, and actual site visits.

The study concluded that: SBPA is a major tourist destination and tourism is a viable industry; there are both negative and positive impacts from tourism; and the industry can be made greener towards ecotourism.