Tourism Research

Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Rationale and Background of the Study

The tourism industry generates substantial economic benefits to both host countries and tourist’s home countries. Especially in developing countries, one of the primary motivations for a region to promote itself as a tourism destination is expected economic improvement.

Tourism boosts the local economy and is responsible for the majority of the money entering into the local economy in many different places. When an area is attractive to visitors, they come to the local area to spend money during vacations. The money that tourism brings in comes from restaurants, lodging, merchandise and local attraction ticket sales. The local economy benefits from the influx of tourism with an increase in local jobs and revenue.

Tourism development is essential for it involves broadening the ownership base such that more people benefit from the tourism industry, skills development, job and wealth creation and ensuring the geographic spread of the industry throughout the province. Many towns rely on tourism as a driving force for their local economy. However, without proper planning a rapidly expanding tourism industry can create unexpected problems for the area. In order to manage the growth in a direction that will benefit the area tourism planning and development is vital in order to become familiar like the well known ones.

The province of Ilocos Norte, through the Governor (Madame Imee R. Marcos) considers tourism as one of the utmost importance: maintaining the previous developments in the province as well as determining the possible areas for further development and improvement and soon be known also like other famous attractions.

Significance of the Study

Tourist attractions have become a phenomenon of our times. The study assesses the level of awareness of the tourists visiting Ilocos Norte on the Eastern attractions of the province like the Marcos Birthplace, Sarrat Presidencia, Sta. Monica Church...