Management approaches on crowding among selected tourism sites in Davao City

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the management approaches on crowding among selected tourism sites in Davao City. The researchers employed qualitative research method and an interview guide questionnaire was used as the data collection instrument. The instrument 2 used in the study was validated by some experts from the faculty of College of Hospitality Education. The research respondents in this study were three (3) managers / operators of selected tourism sites in Davao City. Findings revealed that Davao Crocodile Park, Eden Nature Park and Mt. Apo both are tourism sites in Davao City which experienced crowding and implemented necessary measures to manage it. Their strategies are; they schedule the arrival of their guest; they give their guest many options so that they didn’t just concentrating in one area; they conduct management control plan and they limit the entry of people in every trails. Moreover, spatial spaces through adherence to government’s rules and regulations would result in controlling the influx of people and prevent overcrowding. The way they follow the government’s rule and regulations by the location because they focus on the safety of their guests and they separate the entrance and exits; by their amenities and facilities they controlled the number of people and also they separate the rooms for persons with disabilities; they maintain the sustainability of the environment by limited and regulated trails. In addition, economic strategies by providing more options to people can prevent overcrowding. Their economic strategies are they provide more options such as (amenities and facilities) in order to spread the number of people; they did not implement pricing strategies, instead they concentrate in implementing the rules and regulations inside the area to control people; the Protected Area Management Board decided to impose fees for mountaineers/trekkers. They implemented pricing strategy to regulate the entry of people in the area. However not just focus on pricing but also they control the influx of people to climb. Furthermore, operational strategies through regular monitoring and strict implementation of policies can prevent overcrowding. Their methods of monitoring are they provide more guards; they regular and continuous monitoring and evaluating in the implementation of the policies such as by providing the volume of tourist based on the capacity, so that could prevent overcrowding. Keywords: crowding, spatial spaces, operational strategies, economic strategies, tourism sites