Exploring the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of locals towards ecotourism in Samar, Philippines: Insights for sustainable development

The pandemic highly impacted the ecotourism sector. And the income of these sectors also suffered from the health crisis. This paper explores the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) of locals in the countryside of Samar, Philippines. The study utilized a survey design to explore the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) and assess the respondents’ understanding, beliefs, and behaviors about ecotourism. The respondents were all adults who met the inclusion criteria, residents in the community, and were 18 years old and above, employing purposive sampling to ensure a representative sample. The findings revealed that the locals have a positive perception regarding ecotourism. On one hand, the majority believed in the potential benefits of ecotourism, indicating a recognition of its positive impact on the community. However, many respondents were unaware of the specific advantages associated with ecotourism. Despite this knowledge gap, most respondents were optimistic about ecotourism and actively engaged in conservation practices. The study underscores the need for targeted educational and community-based policies and interventions to enhance residents’ awareness and understanding of ecotourism. Strengthening these policies is essential for fostering sustainable development in the countryside by promoting and managing ecotourism initiatives.