The Essence of Ecotourism An Environmental Study To The Application of Carrying Capacity in Mt. Gulugud Baboy in Batangas

PU-Laguna Journal of Multidisciplinary Research
Vol. 5 No.2 October 2018

Special Edition
Institutional Social Responsibility
The Essence of Ecotourism: An Environmental Study to the

Application of Carrying Capacity in Mt. Gulugud Baboy in
Batangas
Kimberly Claire Bautista, Joshua Juan, Leah Ellaine Valenzuela

Enrico Garcia
ABSTRACT
Overcrowding is one of the most unresolved issues in the tourism industry

specifically in natural attractions. It is described as a destinations where
hosts or guest locals or visitors feel that there are too many visitors and
that the quality of life in the area or the quality of the experience has
deteriorated unacceptably. Therefore, having carrying capacity as a form
of sustainability can reduce overcrowding in different natural attractions.
The purpose of this study is to identify the carrying capacity, the standard
total daily visits and the quantified tour guides’ perceptions, experiences
and observations, as a basis for adding guidelines in local environmental
protection policy. By computing carrying capacity and standard total daily
visit, it can monitor and control the number of tourist arrival per day in the
mountain since it became popular at a short time. The carrying capacity for
the climbing area of the mountain was estimated using “Boullon's” formula.
Both the upper and lower limits were used and results showed that tourists
in the climbing area should not exceed 150 persons while visitors of the
place should not exceed 600 persons for it to be considered not
overcrowded. Perceptions of 34 guides were also collected during surveys
to quantify experiences and observations. Tour guides which also local
residents want additional policies, specifically on solid waste management,
segregation, and some infrastructure to support the needs of both the
tourists and the locals. It is recommended that the local environmental
protection policy should be revisit and implemented before the next peak
season.
Keywords: carrying capacity, standard total daily visit, environmental

policy, Mt. Gulugod Baboy, local tourism
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Center for Research, Publication and Intellectual Property
Special Edition
INTRODUCTION
Tourism is to visit spectacular places. It heavily relies on natural
resources and culture of the destination. As a result, preservation of the
environment and cultural heritage is one of the main topics of tourism
development in the present age. In tourism it is common to have a
distinction between the physical environment and socio-cultural
environment working with one another. Today, tourism is often viewed as
a powerful engine of growth and development for several local government
units; however, the number of tourists a destination receives dramatically
impacts on the environmental, social, and cultural resources of the area. In
particular, tourism is based on a complex relationship with the surrounding
environment, which is affected by tourists’ inflows. Because of this timely
problem, much emphasis should be placed on the need to identify the
carrying capacity of a tourist destination, and that is the maximum number
of tourists a destination can accommodate. One great example will be Mt.
Pulag. One of the foremost adventure destinations in Northern Luzon,
Philippines. Mount Pulag is in many Filipino and international mountain
climbers' must-do list or bucket list. Mount Pulag is the highest peak in
Luzon, the third highest in the Philippines. But today, Mt. Pulag is bursting
at the seams due to the influx of climbers that brought problems in its
carrying capacity. So recently on January 2018, Office of Civil Defense
Cordillera (OCD-CAR) information officer Ivy Carasi said the park
management has issued an order indefinitely suspending all activities due
to forest fire. Based on an initial investigation, the fire started when a
butane gas stove brought by a hiker allegedly exploded that lead to
temporarily close the mountain for at least 6 months.
According to Bhakti Chougule (2011), tourism is the important industry

which ecotourism is growing at a very fast rate. It has been stated "tourism
destroys tourism." There are certain negative impacts because of the
commercialization which is gradually destroying the environmental
resources on which we are dependent. The concept of ecotourism fulfills
both the requirements-tourism development and environmental protection.
Carrying capacity is an essential tool to protect ecological aspects, rich
biodiversity, and rare species, dense forest in an area specializes in soft
adventure, cultural and natural experiences. Carrying capacity
management includes environmental, economic, social indicators as well
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as managing visitor's satisfaction and impacts, even if certain challenges

considered when measured perfectly, carrying capacity can be very useful
in environmental management practices. According to Carl Cater (2015),
ecotourism is widely recognized and promoted as a sustainable form of
nature-based tourism, often with cultural components. Such attention has
commanded a great deal of academic work, use by development
practitioners, and a United Nations designated ‘year of ecotourism’ in 2002.
However, it is clear that ecotourism has not always been able to deliver on
its promises. This is often a result of misinterpretation of what ecotourism
means in different contexts and cultures, and its links to broader tourism
and development objectives.
As stated by Regina Butarbutar (2013), the ecotourism is global issues who

most talked lately in Indonesia, it is one of the activities special tourist
interest which low impacts on natural tourism. The presence of ecotourism
in the era of sustainable and tourism development mission should be
minimum negative impacts, both on the environment resources and on
socio-cultural local values. Ecotourism activities were more oriented on the
utilization of natural resources, the natural ecosystems and have not been
polluted yet. However, when all of tourism development cannot be
separated from the negative impacts, such as ecosystem distress in
ecotourism object when visited by large number of tourists, there are many
conflicts of interest between the ecotourism management with local
communities, especially regarding the benefits sharing and its
accessibilities. The purpose of this paper is to identify the environmental
impacts arising as a result of ecotourism activities and to find out alternative
efforts in mitigating the environmental impact of ecotourism activities.
Carrying capacity of ecotourism is not just limited to the number of visits,
but also covers other aspects, such as: (1) ecological capacity that is ability
of natural environment in providing the needs of tourists, (2) physical
capacity, that is ability of facilities and infrastructure in providing the needs
of tourists, (3) social capacity, that is ability to absorb tourism activities
without the negative impacts on the local communities, (4) the economic
capacity, that is ability to absorb destination commercial efforts and
accommodate any interests of the local economy. According to Pipin
Noviati Sadikin (2017), Mount Rinjani National Park (MRNP) in West Nusa
Tenggara, Indonesia has applied ecotourism which becomes more popular
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at international and national level. Yet, the MRNP ecotourism faces various
problems such as ecotourism resources damage, erosion, or garbage left
by ecotourism activities, etc. This study aims to analyze (i) the land
suitability for ecotourism based on criteria of tourism object range, land use
and land cover, zone type, biodiversity range, and slope, and (ii) carrying
capacity of the ecotourism area, the total number of visitors who can enjoy
ecotourism attraction based on activities type, total area, capacity days,
and turnover factor. The results of the land suitability for ecotourism
analysis show that the MRNP ecotourism has been applied on the suitable
land for ecotourism, except in Pelawangan Senaru and at the Peak of
Mount Rinjani due to its sensitive and fragile area.
Gulugod-Baboy means “pig’s spine”, so named because of the

contours of the hills. “Gulod”, however, means hill; “pig’s hill” can also
depict the pastoral scene of the mountain. You would normal encounter
cows, goats, and in the past, pigs, as you trek through the mountain. Mt.
Gulugod-Baboy is the general term that describes the hills that traverse
Calumpan Peninsula in Mabini, Batangas. Located in Southern Batangas,
the peninsula is more known for the diving resorts of Anilao – the birthplace
of Philippine scuba diving. Since dive enthusiasts are also enthusiasts for
anything ‘outdoor’, they began exploring the hills, and soon, Gulugod
Baboy became a hiking destination on its right, although today it remains a
popular side-trip to a diving escapade to Anilao, or to the nearby Sombrero
or Maricaban islands. At its peaks, you can see, from east to west: Janao
Bay, Maricaban strait which bears Sombrero and Maricaban islands, a
distant, faint blue Mindoro, Verde Island (SW) and Batangas Bay. The city
and port of Batangas is visible on the east, and behind and beside them,
the mountains of Lobo, the nearest one being Mt. Pinamucan (E). To the
northeast is Mt. Maculot, and even Mt. Batulao and the Tagaytay highlands
(NW). Assessing the carrying capacity of Mt. Gulugod Baboy can be very
useful to the municipality which creates the environmental policy for the
early preservation and conservation of the mountain and the wildlife living
there. The number of tourists that can be accommodated and the
experience, as well as observation of each, should be the foundation as to
what and what's not to be executed on the policy.
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Figure 1. Conceptual Framework
The conceptual framework presented in Figure 1 shows the

integration of some important local environmental policy guidelines namely:
carrying capacity that identifies how many persons are capable to limit
maximum space use; standard total daily visit that set limitations in a
certain place to achieved quality movement; quantified tour guides’
experiences and observations to evaluate existing local environmental
policy and guidelines.
Objectives of the Study
The purpose of this study is mainly to add some important local

environmental policy guidelines based on the following specific objectives:
(1) identify the carrying capacity of Mt. Gulugod Baboy, (2) identify the total
optimal number of visitors in Mt. Gulugod Baboy, and (3) determine the
perceived sustainability measures of tourist guides in Mt. Gulugod Baboy.
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METHODOLOGY
The study is a quantitative type of research and was conducted in

Mabini, Batangas on April 27, 2018. Data were gathered using checklists
answered by the tour guides. This contains information whether they
experience problems in Mt. Gulugod Baboy as well as their perception of
the needs at the site. Primary data were obtained by conducting interview
with the tourism officials of the municipality of Mabini. This will include
information such as the frequency of tourist arrival, its existing
environmental policy resolution, facts about Mt. Gulugod Baboy and their
plans for the succeeding months.
Carrying capacity and total daily visit of the water falls was
computed using the formula of “Boullon” (1985). The formula is widely used
to identify the tourism carrying capacity and standard total daily visit.
Carrying Capacity = area used by tourists/average individual
standard
Rotation Coefficient = no. of daily hours area is open to
tourist/average time of visit Total
Daily Visit = carrying capacity x rotation coefficient
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Carrying Capacity of Mt. Gulugod Baboy
The average daily carrying capacity of Mt. Gulugod Baboy was

computed using “Boullon’s formula”. The computed value will assess
using the standard in the Visitor Carrying Capacity Guidelines used by
the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of
Recreation and Parks. It requires 50-200 square feet or 4.65-18.58
square meters (as converted) per mountaineer only.
Table 1. Computed Daily Carrying Capacity for Mt. Gulugod Baboy

Area Area Used by Average Carrying
Requirement Tourists Individual Capacity
Limits (Mt. Gulugod Standards
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Baboy)
Lower Limit 700 sqm 4.65 sqm 150.54
Upper Limit 700 sqm 18.58 sqm 37.67
Table 1 presents the average carrying capacity of Mt. Gulugod

Baboy. The area limit guided by the standard was set to 4.65 sqm as for
the lower limit and 18.58 sqm for the higher limit. The area that
encompasses Mt. Gulugod Baboy is approximately 700 square meters
(estimated). Using the lower limit the computed carrying capacity is
150.54, individuals that will enjoy the 4.65 sqm limit as indicated by
carrying capacity standard. Moreover, the upper limit value of 37.67
individuals will enjoy a standard space of 18.58 sqm.
According to Coccosis (2017), controlling tourism growth

becomes a central policy issue in this context bringing forward the issue
of tourist carrying capacity or ‘how much tourism can be acceptable’ in a
tourist destination.
Standard total daily visit for Mt. Gulugod Baboy
The Carrying Capacity which will be computed as the area used

by tourists divided by the average individual standard is needed in
finding the standard total daily visit. Another variable is the rotation
coefficient which is the number of daily hours the area is open to tourist
divided by the average time of visit. Hence, the total daily visit is the
carrying capacity multiply by rotation coefficient.
Table 2. Computed Total Daily Visit for Mt. Gulugod Baboy

Area Rotation Rotation Total Daily Total Daily
Requirement Coefficient Coefficient Visit Visit
Limits (3-hr stay) (12-hr stay) (3-hr stay) (12-hr
stay)
Lower Limit 4 1 602.16 150.54
Upper Limit 4 1 150.68 37.67
If we use the lower limit, which is 4.65 sqm, the carrying capacity
will be 150.54 and the total daily visit will be ranging from 150-602
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tourists, if they stay for 3-12 hours. However, using the upper limit which
is 18.58 sqm, the carrying capacity and the total daily visit will be lowered
to and range from 37 and 37-150, if they stayed for 3-12 hours
Using the data from the Upper Limits’ Total Daily Visits, the Mt.
Gulugod Baboy exceeds more than three times of the computed
standard total daily visits, giving an average visitors of 500 daily during
peak seasons. Results indicate that the carrying capacity is not
observed, if the visitors will come in Mt. Gulugod Baboy and stay there
for more than 3 hours.
Catton Hui (2015) defines carrying capacity as the maximum persistently

supportable load of a focal population in a bounded environment. Here,
definitions of carrying capacity for natural populations, ecosystems and
humans, as well as biocapacity, are presented, with issues fully discussed
pertaining to their proper interpretation, models and estimation, debate
and derived paradoxes.
Table 3. Frequency of Tourist Visit in Relation to Carrying Capacity

(Estimated)
Frequency of Tourists’ Carrying Capacity
3-Hour Stay Interval Visit (Based on Computed
(Peak Season) 150 per climber)
05:00-08:00 223 Not Observed
08:01-11:00 144 Observed
11:01-14:00 83 Observed
14:01-17:00 50 Observed
Total 500
Results shows that in the 3-hour stay interval, only 05:00-08:00

period was not observed the carrying capacity and it indicates that this is
the peak hours to visit the mountain. Tourists’ still enjoy the breathtaking
view of the mountain in other time intervals, given that they stay only for 3
hours. Local tourists’ officials mentioned that they want to set cut-offs per
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intervals during peak seasons or even weekends but the tourists’ insist to
stay more than 3 hours. The results of this study will give them an idea on
how to include cut-off time in the local environmental protection policy and
to formalize the idea that visitors understands and follow when it is
included in the policy guideline.
According to Harry Coccosis (2017), controlling tourism growth becomes

a central policy issue in this context bringing forward the issue of tourist
carrying capacity or ‘how much tourism can be acceptable’ in a tourist
destination. Tourism Carrying Capacity Assessment (TCAA), with the aim
to identify and impose limits, can be valuable in planning for sustainable
tourism.
Perceived sustainability measures of tourist guides in Mt.

Gulugod Baboy
In quantifying the sustainability measures of tourist guides in Mt.

Gulogud Baboy, the researchers used a modified environmental
sustainability questionnaire. In consideration of the frequency of tourists’
visit presented on table 3, the researchers conducted a survey during
weekend between opening and closing of the mountain for visitors.
Table 3. Perceived sustainability measures of tourist guides in Mt.

Gulugod Baboy
Indicators Weighted Interpretation

Mean
Cleanliness is monitored at the site. 3.70 Strongly
Agree
The authority provides signage’s on the 3.57 Strongly
site for hiker’s safety. Agree
No visible damages on the mountain. 3.50 Strongly

Agree
Proper waste segregation and garbage 3.60 Strongly
disposal are practiced. Agree
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I think climate change is not affecting the 3.70 Strongly

growth of trees in the mountain Agree
We are not tolerating the cutting of trees 3.53 Strongly
in the area. Agree
The peacefulness of the place is still 3.80 Strongly

preserved. Agree
I think climate change doesn’t affect goods Strongly
3.77
and services provided by the mountains Agree
Being a tour guide is one of the sources 3.60 Strongly
of income of some residents in Mabini Agree
Batangas.
The mountain is providing source of 3.43 Strongly
income to some residents living nearby Agree
the mountain.
I am providing services needed by the 3.60 Strongly
tourists in Mt. Gulugod Baboy. Agree
The tourists are approachable. 3.60 Strongly

The tourists are not affecting our culture 3.83 Strongly
and traditions Agree
Our way of living is not affected by the 3.67 Strongly
tourists. Agree
I encourage tourists to maintain and 3.77 Strongly
sustain the area. Agree
4= Strongly Agree; 3= Agree; 2=Disagree; 1= Strongly Disagree
Majority of the tour guides’ disagreed on experiencing

overcrowding, thus the carrying capacity of Mt. Gulugud Baboy shows that
there are some given times that overcrowding were experireinced. The
peacefulness is still observed at the mountain. Still, tour guides agreed on
monitoring the cleanliness of the sites to lessen polluted area. Although,
the locals and tourist guides are cleaning the area, that wasn’t enough to
control the disposal materials of the tourists.
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Results also generated a weighted mean of 3.60, strongly agree,

for providing a good services for the tourists by the locals and tour guides.
They are encouraging the tourists to maintain and sustain the area. Majority
of the tour guides and locals strongly agree that they are not tolerating the
tourists to cut any trees. As summarized, tour guides’ suggested some
additional environmental protection policy based on what they observed (1)
improve signage’s on the sites, (2) banning of smoking and drinking
alcoholic beverages, (3) fine for cutting any trees, (4) provide more garbage
cans in every peak.
According to Newsome (2010), travel to and appreciation of natural
landscapes and geological phenomena continues to grow as a niche area
of tourism. Despite economic recessions, political problems, the increasing
price of oil and even the risk of natural disasters, such as volcanic
eruptions, people still yearn for new experiences and need to fulfill that
deep aspect humanity, which is having a sense of wonder about the planet
we live on. It is our belief that geotourism will continue to rise as an
important tourism activity as our planet becomes increasingly
overcrowded, as wild places continue to be diminished and people strive
for sustainable lifestyles and authentic natural experiences.
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
The computed carrying capacity of Mt. Gulugod Baboy was 150.54

for the lower limit of 4.65 sqm and 37.67 for the upper limit of 18.58 sqm
per climber. For the lower limit, the standard total daily visit will be ranging
from, 150-602, while for the upper limit will be ranging from 37-150 both if
the tourists’ stay for 3-12 hours in Mt. Gulugod Baboy. In the 3-hour stay
interval, only 05:00-08:00 in the morning period exceeds carrying capacity
with a frequency of 223 tourist visits. Majority of the tour guides’ strongly
agreed that they are monitoring the cleanliness of the sites. Tour guides’
also encourage tourists to maintain and sustain the beauty and cleanliness
of the area. They strongly agree that Mt. Gulugod Baboy is somehow a
provider in source of income to the residents living nearby area.
The study recommends reviewing the environmental policy

guidelines to add cut-off per three-hour interval from opening to closing of
the mountain using the carrying capacity of 150 tourists’ per batch.
Regulate the 37-150 maximum visitors to maintain the standard total daily
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visit. For the tourists’, it is recommended that they avoid the peak hours
05:00-08:00 in the morning intervals, during peak season, to minimize
tourists’ arrivals and achieved the standard total daily visit. Provision of
trash bins, the practice of solid waste management for both tourists’ and
local guides, and review of the existing local environmental protection
policy guidelines are also recommended.
REFERENCES
Anowar Hossain Bhuiyan, Chamhuri Siwar, Shaharuddin Mohamad Ismail

and Rabiul Islam. 2011. Ecotourism Development in
Recreational Forest Areas. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net
Butarbutar, Regina and Soemarno, Soemarno. 2013. Environmental
Effects of Ecotourism In Indonesia. Journal of Indonesian
Tourism and Development Studies
Cater, Carl and Cater, Erlet. 2015. Ecotourism. International
Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences
Chougule, Bhakti. 2011. Environmental Carrying Capacity and Ecotourism
Development. Tourism, Introduction Development, Modern
For, Ideology
Harry Coccossis, Alexandra Mexa. 2017. The Challenge of Tourism
Carrying Capacity Assessment: Theory and Practice.
Retrieved from http://scholar.google.com.ph
Hui, Cang. 2015. Carrying Capacity of the Environment. International
Encyclopedia of the Social &Behavioral Sciences: Second
Edition
Ismail, Mohd Muzzammil, Jaafar, Mastura and Mohamad, Diana. 2015.
Social Carrying Capacity Of Ecotourism National Park : Case Study Of
National Park Kuala Tahan , Malaysia. Journal of the Malaysian Institute of
planners
Kim, Hyelin, Lee, Seungwoo, Uysal, Muzaffer, Kim, Juyeon, and
Ahn, Kyungmo. 2015. Nature-Based Tourism: Motivation
and Subjective Well-Being. Journal of Travel and
Tourism Marketing
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Special Edition
Lane, Murray. 2010. The carrying capacity imperative: Assessing regional

carrying capacity methodologies for sustainable land-use
planning. Land Use Policy
Newsome, D. and Dowling, R.K. 2010. Setting an Agenda for
Geotourism. Retrieved from
http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au
R Rajesh. 2013. Impact of Tourist Perceptions, Destination Image and
Tourist Satisfaction on
Destination Loyalty: A Conceptual Model. Retrieved from
http://www.redalyc.org
Sadikin, Pipin Noviati. 2017. Carrying capacity to preserve biodiversity on
ecotourism in Mount Rinjani National Park, Indonesia.
Biodiversitas, Journal of Biological Diversity
Strobl, Andreas, Teichmann, Karin and Peters, Mike. 2015. Do mountain
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PU-Laguna Journal of Multidisciplinary Research

Vol. 5 No.2 October 2018

The Essence of Ecotourism: An Environmental Study to the

Kimberly Claire Bautista, Joshua Juan, Leah Ellaine Valenzuela

Overcrowding is one of the most unresolved issues in the tourism industry

Keywords: carrying capacity, standard total daily visit, environmental

According to Bhakti Chougule (2011), tourism is the important industry

as managing visitor's satisfaction and impacts, even if certain challenges

As stated by Regina Butarbutar (2013), the ecotourism is global issues who

Gulugod-Baboy means “pig’s spine”, so named because of the

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework

The conceptual framework presented in Figure 1 shows the

Objectives of the Study

The purpose of this study is mainly to add some important local

The study is a quantitative type of research and was conducted in

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Carrying Capacity of Mt. Gulugod Baboy

The average daily carrying capacity of Mt. Gulugod Baboy was

Table 1. Computed Daily Carrying Capacity for Mt. Gulugod Baboy

Table 1 presents the average carrying capacity of Mt. Gulugod

According to Coccosis (2017), controlling tourism growth

Standard total daily visit for Mt. Gulugod Baboy

The Carrying Capacity which will be computed as the area used

Table 2. Computed Total Daily Visit for Mt. Gulugod Baboy

Catton Hui (2015) defines carrying capacity as the maximum persistently

Table 3. Frequency of Tourist Visit in Relation to Carrying Capacity

08:01-11:00 144 Observed

Results shows that in the 3-hour stay interval, only 05:00-08:00

According to Harry Coccosis (2017), controlling tourism growth becomes

Perceived sustainability measures of tourist guides in Mt.

In quantifying the sustainability measures of tourist guides in Mt.

Table 3. Perceived sustainability measures of tourist guides in Mt.

Indicators Weighted Interpretation

No visible damages on the mountain. 3.50 Strongly

I think climate change is not affecting the 3.70 Strongly

The peacefulness of the place is still 3.80 Strongly

The tourists are approachable. 3.60 Strongly

Majority of the tour guides’ disagreed on experiencing

Results also generated a weighted mean of 3.60, strongly agree,

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The computed carrying capacity of Mt. Gulugod Baboy was 150.54

The study recommends reviewing the environmental policy

Anowar Hossain Bhuiyan, Chamhuri Siwar, Shaharuddin Mohamad Ismail

Lane, Murray. 2010. The carrying capacity imperative: Assessing regional

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