Examining visitor feedback on communication education and public awareness materials of an ASEAN heritage park
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In the Philippines, ecotourism offers both opportunities and threats to natural and social environment. Sustainable and responsible ecotourism is important to minimize the threats. Mount Makiling Forest Reserve ASEAN Heritage Park (MMFR AHP) as an ecotourism destination continues to serve as a recreational area for the public being the nearest mountain to the capital city, Manila. Effectiveness of the visitor management strategies depend highly on communication. The study aimed to assess the perception of visitors on the communication education and public awareness (CEPA) materials of the MMFR AHP. Results showed that the CEPA materials in MMFR AHP, the 160 respondents identified as useful are directional signs (70%); map (67%); videos (51%); brochures (50%); and flyers (40%). The materials serve as guide, additional information, raises awareness, directions, and estimate distance to respondents. Suggested CEPA materials include trivia boards about MMFR AHP and its resources, exhibit, souvenirs, and infographic materials about flora and fauna. Respondents prefer to learn more about in MMFR AHP include history, natural resources, biodiversity, benefits, and role in influencing art, culture, and society, especially in the locality of MMFR AHP. The study confirmed the effectiveness of the materials to visitors, enhanced awareness, and that different groups of respondents needs different ways of communicating and promoting resources based on their interest. Furthermore, helped in shaping the visitor management strategies for MMFR AHP such as communicating conservation through interpretation program and development of package tour and carrying capacity standards. Development of other CEPA materials and programs to capture responsible visitors, featuring the uniqueness of different points of interests of MMFR AHP, and strengthening the educators for nature tourism for visitors to be more aware on what MMFR AHP can offer and the importance of the natural resources.
Keywords: Visitor perception, Protected area management, Park interpretation
ID: 3623356