HERCOR COLLEGE

COLLEGE OF HOTEL AND RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT

AN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDY
Roxas City

Background Of The Study

Heritage tourism is a phenomenon based on tourist motivations and perception rather

than on specific site attributes. It is a subgroup of tourism in which the main motivation for

visiting a site based on the places heritage characteristics is according to the tourist perception of

their own heritage (Poria et al. in Laygo, 2007). Heritage tourist attractions are fundamental

resources for tourism. They attract visitors based on their connections to the past (Poria, Butler &

Airey 2003) Many attractions that have iconic status have continued to attract tourists to visit for

several centuries.

Heritage and sustainability have increasingly been linked in the literature as they are both

associated with inheritance (Poria, Butler & Airey 2003). Heritage attractions continue to evolve

as new episodes are added to their history over time. Finally, society is subject to constant

change and each new generation has their own perceptions and attitudes about the past and its

meanings (Halewood & Hannam 2001). Heritage attractions have to navigate through this

constantly fluctuating environment, being continually vigilant in case they become out-dated and

irrelevant (Hjalager 2001). To date, research on innovation and tourism has largely concentrated

on generic forms of tourism and hospitality; there has been little research into innovation in

heritage tourism as a discrete sector. Research which links innovation and heritage tends to

concentrate on heritage cities and regions or the benefits and disadvantages of conservation and

innovation or conservation and tourism (Burns, 2006)

In order to be considered as a heritage site, there are some criteria to meet. This study used the
criteria for selection set by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
 HERCOR COLLEGE
COLLEGE OF HOTEL AND RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT
AN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDY
Roxas City

Cultural Organization (UNESCO). These criteria are explained in the Operational

Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention which, besides the text of

the Convention, is the main working tool on World Heritage. The criteria are regularly revised by

the Committee to reflect the evolution of the World Heritage concept itself. Until the end of

2004, World Heritage sites were selected on the basis of six cultural and four natural criteria.

With the adoption of the revised Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World

Heritage Convention, only one set of ten criteria exists.

Somewhere in the Visayas, in the Island of Panay lies a province with rich history and

scenic sights -- Capiz. Captivating Capiz, the provinces official tagline, best describes its

impressive mark on Philippine tourism. One can even do a Heritage Walk Tour around one of its

component cities, Roxas City, in just under a day. Some of the Heritage sites located in the

Province are Sta. Monica Church, Panay Bell, Filamer Christian University, and Dumalag

Church which is the first heritage site in Capiz. Located also in the city is one of the oldest

school, Capiz National High School (CNHS), and this study aims in ascertaining the validity and

acceptability of Capiz National High School as Tourism Heritage Site by doing a survey based

on the Selection Criteria by UNESCO. If proven valid and acceptable as a Heritage Site, It can

be an added list to Capizs Tourist Spots which can also benefit not only the school itself, but

also the people of Capiz since tourist attractions can provide direct jobs to the community, such

as tour guides or hotel housekeeping. Indirect employment is also generated through other

industries such as agriculture, food production, and retail. In short, tourism has economic

benefits.
 HERCOR COLLEGE
COLLEGE OF HOTEL AND RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT
AN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDY
Roxas City

Figure 1 shows the framework of the study

Apply initial draft for

testing
Validity of CNHS as
Tourism Heritage Site
Construct initial draft of
criterion

Identify Criterion for the

study
Acceptability of CNHS as
Tourism Heritage Site

Research on the history of

CNHS

Figure 1 shows the geographical framework of the study

Objectives of the Study

This study aimed at ascertaining the validity and acceptability of Capiz National High School as

Tourism Heritage Site

Specifically, it will deal with the following objectives:

1. To determine the validity of CNHS as Tourism Heritage site.

2. To determine the acceptability of CNHS as Tourism Heritage site.
 HERCOR COLLEGE
COLLEGE OF HOTEL AND RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT
AN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDY
Roxas City

Significance Of The Study

This investigation provided a new attempt in presenting the Capiz National High School as a

heritage site. Students, CNHS, Tourism Economy, Researchers, and Future Researchers may

benefit from the findings of this investigation.

Students. The result of this study will give knowledge to every student of this institution.

Furthermore, it will be a reliable source of information that would help the students to have a

better understanding about the heritage sites.

CNHS. If valid and accepted to be a Tourism heritage site, the result of this study will

benefit the institution since it will be added to the list of tourist spots in the province of Capiz

which will add prestige to the school.

Tourism Economy. The result of this study will entice tourists to visit Capiz which can

improve the tourism economy of the province.

Researchers. The result of this study will serve as foundation of knowledge, as to learn

and understand the process on how a certain place can be considered as a heritage site.

Future Researchers. Future researchers can also benefit from this study since this would

be an added source of information and could serve as basis in conducting further research related

to this study.

Definition Of Terms

For the purpose of clarity and precision, the following terms are given their conceptual and

operational meanings:

Capiz National High School. Is the leading secondary educational institution in the province of

Capiz.
 HERCOR COLLEGE
COLLEGE OF HOTEL AND RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT
AN UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDY
Roxas City

In this study, Capiz National High School (CNHS) will be the site to be determined as

Tourism Heritage site.

Tourism. Is the activities of people travelling to and staying in places outside their usual

environment for leisure, business or other purposes.

In this study, tourism refers to the activities of people travelling to Roxas City.

Heritage site. Is a place that is listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural

Organization (UNESCO) as of special cultural or physical significance.

The basic definition of heritage attractions used in this study is any property that attracts

the public by virtue of its explicit connection with the past" (Garrod & Fyall 2000, p. 685).

Delimitations Of The Study

This survey method study, will be conducted in the first semester of the academic year

2017-2018, aims at ascertaining the validity and acceptability of Capiz National High School as

Tourism Heritage Site.

The participants of this study will be randomly selected employees in Capiz National

High school. The random sampling method will be employed in the selection of participants.

The selection criterion made by UNESCO will be used to gather data. It was divided into

two parts. Part 1 includes the selection criteria set by UNESCO and Part 2 were questions about

the acceptability of Capiz National High School as Tourism Heritage Site.