Factors, Challenges, and Prospects of Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Development in a Regional Context: The Case of Lanao del Sur Province

Abstract

This study aimed to grasp an in-depth understanding of the existing factors, challenges, and prospects of sustainable tourism and hospitality development in Lanao del Sur, which can be used by the local governing bodies of the province to formulate an effective, sustainable tourism development plan. This study used a descriptive-exploratory approach in presenting, interpreting, and analyzing the gathered data. As such, the researchers sought the views and insights of local tourism officers or administrators as respondents of this study. After a thorough exploration of the needed facts and data in this paper, this study concluded that there are varying factors for sustainable tourism and hospitality development in the Province of Lanao del Sur, in terms of accommodation, accessibility, activities, and amenities sectors. Nonetheless, despite these existing factors, there are still challenges faced by the respondents that range from economic, socio-cultural, and environmental challenges. Finally, the study also found that given the existing factors and challenges of sustainable tourism and hospitality development in Lanao del Sur, there were some prospective recommendations of the respondents to the Local Government Units toward the sustainable growth and development of the industry in the locale.