lecture given by professor carlos libosada.

1. Community-based Tourism
in Donsol, Sorsogon
Carlos M. Libosada Jr.
Assistant Professor
University of the Philippines
Asian Institute of Tourism

2. Donsol
 Located in the province
of Sorsogon
 A 4th class municipality
 High level of
unemployment
 Fishing and farming as
main economic
activities
 Zero tourism

3. Before Tourism
 The whale sharks were not bothered with by
the people
 Whale sharks were already being hunted in
some parts of the Philippines
 Whale sharks were killed for the fins and
exported. Locals dried the meat as.
 Later, the shark’s fin market adapted to the
new delicacy called whale shark tofu

4. When whale sharks were
“discovered” in Donsol
 Three whale sharks were killed in two weeks
 A single whale shark could enrich a fisherman
by as much as 100,000 pesos
 If there were 50 whale sharks, local fishermen
could earn a total of 5 million pesos

5. But at what price?

6. Potential Effects of Whale Shark
Harvesting
 Short-term riches to some fishermen
 Entire whale shark population may be wiped
out in a single year
 Lost long-term economic opportunity
 Donsol will remain in the same state before the
whale sharks were “discovered”
 Area-wide poverty will remain in the area

7. Tourism
 Ecotourism was deemed as a practical
alternative over fishing
 The whale sharks will be saved
 The people will benefit on a long term against
fishing

8. Realities
 The people were not prepared for the sudden influx of
tourism in the area
 There was a distinct lack of tourist facilities and
services in the area
 There was a danger of tourism introducing anarchy
instead of opportunity
 There was the possibility of outside investors getting
most of the opportunities resulting in massive leakage
and lost economic benefits for the people of Donsol

9. Programs
 Community preparation and stakeholder
organization
 Identification of opportunities and constraints
 Management planning and workshops

10. Objectives
 To ensure that the whale sharks are saved from
unsustainable and harmful fishing activities
and provide a more sustainable form of
resource utilization
 To ensure that the local communities of
Donsol would directly benefit from the whale
shark tourism program
 To provide jobs and economic opportunities

11. Organized Stakeholders
 Butanding Interaction Officers
 Boatmen Association
 Homestay Association
 Tricycle Drivers Association
 Van Drivers and operators
 Paddleboat Association (2004)

12. At 10 boats per day, the income to the people of Donsol was
almost 100,000 pesos per day
Boat Hire – 25,000
Accomm (@ 300/pax) – 18,000
Meals (150/meal X 3) - 27,000
Shopping (200/pax) - 12,000
Local Transport - 12,000
TOTAL - Php 94,000

13. Economic Benefits
 Jobs
 Revenue
 Investments
 Added liquidity

14. Major Present Challenge
 How to increase the tourism season in Donsol
 January – May, open season for whale shark
interaction

15. New Major Product
 Firefly Watching
 Benefits
 Organization of paddleboat operators
 Increased use of present and future tourist facilities
 Jobs will be more stable
 More investments

16. THANK YOU