Ecotourism Industry in Ilijan Batangas City, Philippines: Assessing Its Effects as a Basis of Proposed Tourism Development Plan

Ecotourism is seen as a potential vehicle to provide environmental, socio-economic and cultural beliefs at both local and national levels. This study was conducted to assess the effects of ecotourism industry in Ilijan, Batangas. Specifically, this study was sought to describe the demographic profile of the respondents in terms of age, gender, civil status, highest educational attainment, family income and years of residency in Ilijan; to determine the effects of ecotourism industry in Ilijan, Batangas in terms of environmental, economical and socio-cultural; to determine the importance of tourism development plan and to develop and market Ilijan as a tourist destination; and to propose tourism development plan to further develop the ecotourism industry of Ilijan, Batangas. This study used descriptive research method. Results showed that the respondents in Ilijan, Batangas City believed that the environmental effect of ecotourism industry in their place can help it to enhance the conservation of the marine biodiversity. Moreover, the local residents are more aware of its economical effects and perceived that this ecotourism industry can help the local residents or the owner of the establishments to generate more income. The effects of socio-cultural can help both the local residents and the tourists in imposing their quality human experiences.