Boracay Beach Resort Top Tourist Destination in the Philippines

Boracay is a small island in the Philippines located approximately 315 km south of Manila and 2 km off the northwest tip of Panay Island in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. Boracay Island and its beaches have received awards from numerous travel publications and agencies. The island comprises the barangays of Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak municipality of Malay, province of Aklan. The island is administered by the Philippine Tourism Authority and the provincial government of Aklan. Apart from its white sand beaches, Boracay is also famous for being one of the world’s top destinations for relaxation. It is also emerging among the top destinations for tranquility and nightlife.

Boracay Island is located off the northwest corner of Panay Island, and belongs to the Western Visayas island-group, or Region VI, of the Philippines. The island is approximately seven kilometers long; dog-bone shaped with the narrowest spot being less than one kilometer wide, and has a total land area of 10.32 square kilometers. South-facing Cagban Beach is located across a small strait from the jetty port at Caticlan on Panay Island, and the Cagban jetty port serves as Boracay’s main entry and exit point during most of the year. When wind and sea conditions dictate, east-facing Tambisaan Beach serves as an alternative entry and exit point. Boracay’s two primary tourism beaches, White Beach and Bulabog Beach, are located on opposite sides of the island’s narrow central area. White Beach faces westward and Bulabog Beach faces eastward. The island also has several other beaches.

White Beach, the main tourism beach, is about four kilometers long and is lined with resorts, hotels, lodging houses, restaurants, and other tourism-related businesses. In the central portion, for about two kilometers, there is a footpath known as the Beachfront Path separating the beach itself from the establishments located along it. North and south of the Beachfront Path, beachfront establishments do literally front along the beach itself. Several roads and paths connect the Beachfront Path with Boracay’s Main Road, a vehicular road which runs the length of the island. At the extreme northern end of White Beach, a footpath runs around the headland there and connects White Beach with Diniwid Beach. Bulabog Beach, across the island from White Beach, is the second most popular tourism beach on the island and Boracay’s main windsurfing and kite boarding area. Boracay is divided for land use and conservation purposes into 400 hectares of preserved forestland and 628.96 hectares of agricultural land. Statement of the Problem:

Among all the tourist destinations in the Philippines, the island of Boracay would be one of the most famous destinations. The researcher would like to answer the following:
1.What is the main reason why Boracay Beach Resort is the top tourist destination in the Philippines? A.For the local Tourist
B.For the Foreign Tourist
2.What’s in the Boracay Beach Resort that is not on other tourist destination in the Philippines? 3.What is the impact of being a top tourist destination of the Boracay Beach Resort in the economy and tourism industry of the Philippines? 4.What are the activities the tourists can experience in Boracay Beach Resort?

Background of the Study:
The Philippines said to be an archipelagic country composed of 7,107 islands. It offers a rich biodiversity with its tropical rainforests, mountains, beaches, coral reefs, islands, and diverse range of flora and fauna, making it one of the most megadiverse countries in the world. The Philippines offers a wide selection of beaches and islands around its archipelago. White sand beaches are common around the country and some of its beaches received international recognition and awards such as Boracay, famous for its long white sand beach. As we all know, Philippines has a huge number of natural resources that make the country popular. Many of the tourists visiting Philippines, not only the foreign tourists but also the local tourists amazed by the natural beauty of the said country.

One of those natural resources of the Philippines is the Boracay Beach Resort that is said to be the top tourist destination of the Philippines. Boracay is one of the most popular tourist destination in the world in which finest and beautiful tropical white sand beaches can be found. There are many luxurious hotels and resorts in Boracay nowadays and are of international standards. Boracay has all the elements of a tropical paradise that it enchants visitors from around the globe. Because of its crystal blue waters, powder white sand and a superb underwater marine life. The island paradise of Boracay is a haven of marine/aquatic sports. Among the famous aquatic sports in Boracay are beach volleyball, swimming, boating, canoeing, diving, jet-skiing, kite surfing, sail boating, kayaking, boardsailing and wind surfing. Boracay is surrounded by beautiful dive spots that both novice and professional divers can enjoy. There are many dive shops in Boracay that is guided by expert dive instructors. Furthermore, one reason why most foreigners just love the Philippines is because they get to see spectacular tourist attractions without having to break their wallets. As we’ve all known, the Philippines offers a price that will fit to everybody’s budget.

Significance of the Study:
This study about Boracay Beach Resort will serve as a guide or reference for the local and foreign tourists that have a doubt choosing a best in the Philippines for their relaxation. This research will beneficial to the following:

1.To the tourism industry – This will help the tourism industry promote the Boracay Beach Resort’s tourism. 2.To the local tourists – This will serve as a guide to the local tourists that plan to have a trip to Boracay Beach Resort. 3.To the foreign tourists – This study will serve as an inducement for them to visit and stay in Boracay Beach Resort. Scope and Limitation of the Study:

This study about Boracay Beach Resorts focuses in the attribute of the said tourist attraction. Also, it focuses in the contribution of Boracay Beach Resort in the tourism industry and economy of the Philippines. Then, it also include the activities that the tourists can experience in the said tourist destination. Definition of Terms:

The researcher would like to clarify some terminologies:
1.Boracay Beach Resort – The Boracay Beach Resort is located at the heart of Boracay Island — midway along White Beach between Boat Station 1 and the island’s newest center, D’Mall. 2.Local Tourists – A local tourist is someone visiting interesting sites in his own area. 3.Foreign Tourists – A person visiting a country other than the one in which he or she usually resides and staying for a period of time. 4.Tourism industry – is the industry that focuses on the operation and implementation of the above components of service industries collectively to satisfy need and demand of tourists. 5.Canoeing – is a paddle sport in which one kneels or sits facing forward in an open-decked canoe, and propels oneself with a single-bladed paddle, under one’s own power. 6.Kayaking – is a similar activity in a kayak which usually has a closed deck and is propelled with a double bladed paddle. In a kayak the paddler typically sits with legs extended forward.

Chapter 2
Review of Related Literature
This chapter presents the related literature about Boracay Beach Resort. The researcher used unpublished thesis, internet and some books. The researcher used these all materials to enrich this chapter. Related Literature:

Mary (2011) mentioned in his research that the tropical island of Boracay is one of the most popular Philippine tourist attractions. This premiere vacation spot is surrounded by sparkling white sand and has been developed to cater to the entertainment needs of tourists. This popular tourist destination offers plush hotels, word class restaurants and a number of fun water sports and activities. Also, according to Vince (2010) when he heard the word Boracay Beach Resort, he was so impressed because of its splendor. Meanwhile, according to the eTravel Pilipinas (2008) Boracay is famous of its world renowned white sand beach resorts and popular diving world’s best diving sites. It is one of the top tourist destination because it has many beaches there that can enjoy. The following are some beaches found in Boracay:

1.Balinghai Beach and Punta Bunga Beach
2.Bulabog Beach
3.Diniwid Beach
4.Ilig-Iligan Beach
5.Manoc-Manoc Beach
6.Puka Shell Beach
7.White Beach
8.Bel-At Beach
9.Bolabag beach

Johnson (2006) stated that the tropical island of Boracay has been a very popular Philippine tourist spot in the Philippines for several decades. Over time, most of the island’s shore has been developed to provide visiting tourists with world-class accommodations, resorts, shops, and restaurants. However, the hustle and bustle of busy shops and business on the island’s main beaches may not be attractive for visitors who want to spend a relaxing and peaceful time. One of the famous beach resorts in the Philippines is the Boracay Island which naturally attracts travelers from all over the world. Today Boracay is considered to be one of the most popular islands of the Philippines. There is no need to say that it gets a great positive response from the people regardless of personal background and culture. Moreover, Aiza Gay (2012) stated “people come to the island of Boracay not because of parties, diving, swimming or water sports. Many other islands offer them already. It is the sand that makes Boracay unique from others.” “Initially, the Negative Capitalism is very much uncontrollable in the island. It is not just ruining the real beauty of the island but it aggravates the thinning of the sand.

Why cannot the government officials there never thought of that, they just simply reason out that, oh it is okay to build another establishment because there is still space for that and for this, but if this is what they always say, it is not impossible that someday the island will disappear like a bubble and will drown like a needle. Negative Capitalism brings a lot of negative effects in Boracay, the destruction of nature by cutting its trees and not giving an attention and respect for our indigenous folks there, the Aetas. I do not know if this is the exact issue or what but I still remember that, because of the unstoppable building of firms there is that, the Aetas have to leave their place or they are force to leave their home, as what my brain remembers I saw it in the TV.”

Chapter 3
Research Methodology
This chapter three is divided into six parts. The research design, sources data, number of respondents, data gathering procedure, research instruments and statistical treatment of data. Research Design

The researcher used a descriptive method, consist of survey research that involves describing the characteristic of Boracay Beach Resort by means of such instruments as interview schedules, questionnaires and test. Also, this includes the case study that is detailed analysis of one or a few individuals.

Sources Data
The researcher used a primary and secondary sources of data. Such as books, historical documents, literary texts, artistic works, experiments, surveys, and interviews.  Magazines, Review articles and critical analysis essays, biographies, articles about people, events from the past and newspapers serves as the secondary sources of data while conducting the research.

Number of Respondents
The respondents used in this study is composed of ten people who have already spent their time and who have already seen the beauty of Boracay Beach Resort. These people will be given a questionnaire to conduct a survey about the said place. The questionnaire is composed of ten questions. The questionnaire is composed of two parts. Data Gathering Procedure

The researcher prepared the questionnaire with ten items consist of two parts. The Part 1 is the Objectives and Purpose with seven items. The Part 2
is the comments and suggestions with three items. Research Instruments

After answering the questionnaire that the researcher conducted, the researcher checked, analyzed, and tabulated the questionnaire to get the frequency. The researcher also signed all these questionnaire answered by the respondents to make it official. Then, the researcher applied the research instruments to be used. Statistical Treatment of Data

The researcher applied frequency and percentage to get the exact result needed in preparing tables and graphs. The writer also tabulated the two parts of the test questionnaire. The Part 1 is the Objectives and Purpose with seven items. The Part 2 is the comments and suggestions with three items. Chapter 4

Presentation, Analysis and Interpretation of Data
Table 1
Gender Distribution of 10 Respondents
GenderNo. of RespondentsPercentage
Female660%
Male440%
Total10100%
Table 1 shows the Gender Distribution of 50 Respondents from Lyceum of the Philippines University. Male has 40% while female has 60% with a total of 100 percent. Table 2
The Number of Respondents Who Answered the Questionnaires
GenderNo. of RespondentsTest question compose of 2 partsPercentage Male2Part 120%
2Part 220%
Female3Part 130%
3Part 230%
Total10100%

The table 2 shows the number of respondents who answered the questionnaire composed of two parts. Female has the higher percentage in answering the two parts. Female got a 30% in part 1 and 2 while male has 20% in part 1 and 2 a
total of 100 percent. Table 3

Students who answered the question if they consider Boracay Beach Resort as a Top Tourist Destination in the Philippines GenderNo. of RespondentsPercentage
Male440%
Female550%
Abstain110%
Total10100%
Table 3 shows the number of students in Lyceum of the Philippines University who answered that they are considering Boracay Beach Resort as the top tourist destination in the Philippines. Male and female got 90% showing that they considered Boracay Beach Resort as the top tourist destination in the Philippines. Only 1 respondent did not give his/her answer.