ENHANCING THE ACCESSIBILITY IN LA PALMERA IN THE LOCAL
RESIDENCE OF COLUMBIO, SULTAN KUDARAT
JASPER ZECK Z. BERING
CHIARA ERICA N. RODRIGUEZ
Case Study Submitted to the Department of Travel and Tourism Management
College of Human Ecology and Food Sciences University of Southern
Mindanao,Kabacan, Cotabato in Partial Fulfilment of the
Requirements for the
Degree of
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN TOURISM MANAGEMENT
JUNE 2022
INTRODUCTION
Tourism is one of the world’s fastest- growing industries and tourism
destination are born globally all the time. More and more people are traveling
destinations have understood, that they can make tourism as a source of
national income. (Roland Berger strategy consultants 2014.)
La Palmera is a majestic ridges and rich verdant views in Mindanao. Behind
the scenic landscape with its beautiful slopes, the condition of the road to get
there in destination are poor because it is bumpy, muddy and not yet
constructed. The purpose of this study is develop the main problem and its
significance.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
La Palmera Mountain Ridge is one of the tourist destination in South Cotabato
and it’s because many tourist would like to visit La Palmera but it is hard for
them to travel because of bumpy road and not yet constructed. It is difficult to
travel especially when it’s raining because of the muddy road and it is
dangerous because they need to cross river. We also identified that the La
Palmera Mountain Ridge has lack of signboards that will mislead the tourist in
the destination. La Palmera is a place wherein people are satisfied in terms of
view and experiences at the same time, there are people experienced
difficulties reaching the place. Aside from those positive traits of the said
destination, it has also negative traits and lacking equipment, just like cautions
and signboards and also accessibility for wherein there are times that many
people flocked in during visiting the destination.
ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION
As we all know La Palmera Mountain Ridge is a new tourist attraction. As we
analyzed the reviews, we found out that there are positive and negative traits.
Some of the problem we encounter is not resolve yet just like the poor road
condition and lack of signboards. This kind of problem is done with a specific
action. Therefore, we recommend that the development in the area should
prioritize and make some action plan for the problem. On the other hand we
suggest that the road should be cemented, and create a signboards in every
corner.
RECOMMENDATION
The state and condition of the road network, infrastructure in Columbio are
extremely dire and this is having a negative impact on socio-economic
activities in La Palmera. By identifying poor road infrastructures of Columbio, it
is anticipated that urgent action will be initiated by the government to do
everything necessary to improve, rehabilitate and construct good road
networks in the local residence of Columbio which will translate into increase
influx of tourists in La Palmera. Columbio will need to elevate its standing on
the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) and this can be done to
an extent by improving the quality of its road network infrastructure. The local
residence of Columbio needs to invest on the road network infrastructure to
repair, maintain, rehabilitate the road routes. Private and public sectors
collaboration and partnership with strong government coordination are
required to make this achievable and as such, government should involve the
private sector in partnering with them to be providing the necessary skills and
capacity in building road infrastructure and also be part of the maintenance
and renovation of roads leading to tourism site. Rehabilitation of the roads are
also pivotal because it is important to constantly upgrade the roads and also
the road should be maintained to not end up in state of total disrepair or
damage. More importantly, the development of road infrastructure for
purposes of tourism, undoubtedly make tourists want to visit the desired sites
and this will attract development to the areas and communities and invariably
leads to sustainability.
LITERATURE CITED
Archer et al., (2005). If the roads are bad, tourists will not be able to have easy
access to tourist sites in the destination countries
Cooper & Hall, (2007). Good road infrastructure serves as an integral link
between transportation, product of tourism and the tourism market
Omisore & Fadoyin, (2012). The provision of good road infrastructure will
enable efficient and effective transportation which is the catalyst factor for the
sustainability of tourism system without which tourism cannot survive.
Therefore, there is need for the development of functioning and well-
maintained road infrastructures, assets and facilities. These can be achieved
through proper planning based on government policy that speaks to ensuring
that the road network and infrastructure are always well maintained.
Prideaux, (2000). This is said against the backdrop that good road
infrastructure makes tourists enjoy their stay wherever they travel to because
they are able to easily access the various tourist attractions and feel safer in
their journeys.
Sorupia, (2005). Road transportation is one of the viable modes of transport
for taking tourists to different destinations and places where they want to visit
and experience novel things
Tóth & Dávid, (2013). Road infrastructure has a remarkable effect on tourism
systems, and accessibility is also predicated on good road infrastructure and
networks
