Year: 2026 | Month: May | Volume: 13 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 861-873
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260588
Linking Peripheral Coastal Areas with a Tourism Hub: Tourism Gateways for Cagsao, Calabanga and Itangon, Bula in Camarines Sur, Philippines
Mariel R. Estrella
College of Arts and Humanities, Partido State University, Goa, Camarines Sur, Philippines
Corresponding Author: Mariel R. Estrella
ABSTRACT
Ecotourism destinations are vibrant zones that offers a tourist diverse landscapes and culture in fusion with nature. These areas are however, peripheral and often inaccessible. This study explores the proposal of linking two peripheral communities, Cagsao and Itangon into a regional tourism hub where its tourism assets may contribute to sustainable tourism and local development. With field surveys, key informant interviews and spatial analysis, the study identified, described and assessed the communities’ tourism potential. Integral to the research work is the definition of the connectivity and linkage of the tourism sites with a tourism hub. A community-based tourism strategy is recommended by the study as channel to link these peripheral tourism sites with a tourism hub or gateway. The linkage with the tourism gateway and the communities is mutually beneficial; the tourism hub to diversify visitor experience and the peripheral communities with access to the mainstream tourism market. This connectivity would lead to an enhanced regional tourism value and uplift local livelihoods. With such collaborative arrangement and investment, the future of Cagsao and Itangon as thriving coastal tourism destinations is confidently assured.
Keywords: Ecotourism Potential; Peripheral Communities; Tourism Gateway
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