RESOURCE PROTECTION STRATEGIES TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM AND PROTECTED AREA CONSERVATION: A VISITORS’ EVALUATION IN BULUSAN VOLCANO NATURAL PARK, PHILIPPINES

Purpose of the study: This study has evaluated the resource protection strategies in Bulusan Volcano Natural Park (BVNP) along with environmental/biophysical conservation, cultural preservation, social conservation, and physical/behavioral conservation in ensuring sustainable ecotourism operation and protected area conservation. Methodology: It employed a quantitative method of research directed towards presenting, analyzing, and interpreting the data. The selection of respondents was done through the Convenience Sampling Technique where every possible respondent has the same chance of being selected during the administration of the survey questionnaire. Data were analyzed using weighted mean and standard deviation in determining the homogeneity/heterogeneity of the visitors’ evaluation. Main Findings: The strategies on social and environmental conservation are effective and more given emphasis on BVNP. Likewise, with physical or behavioral conservation strategies which also recognized effective mechanisms in managing visitors’ use. However, the cultural preservations were evaluated very low as most of the visitors disagreed that the strategies for this aspect are manifested in the actions of the host community. Applications of this study: Findings of this paper is deemed relevant and useful for natural park administrators and ecotourism destination operators as it provides new insights on the effectiveness of resource protection strategies and suggests future policy actions to ensure sustainability. Novelty/Originality Of this study: This study is novel in evaluating the resource protection strategies in protected areas (BVNP) and in determining how conservation approaches enhance the visitor experience in natural parks.