Chapter One

INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background of the Study
The City of Iloilo has been synonymous to the famed Dinagyang Festival, its succulent heirloom
cuisine, well-preserved heritage structures and warm hospitality.
The capital of Iloilo province, which recently marked its 80th Charter Day, has a checkered past
dating back to the arrival of the legendary 10 datus from Borneo in the 12th century and the
purchase of Panay Island with a golden salakot.
In the 1800s, it was given the titles “La Muy Leal Y Noble Ciudad” (The Most Loyal and Noble
City) and later “Queen Regent’s City in the South” by Spanish Queen Regent Maria Cristina.
These official accolades have made this urban center the first “queen city” in the south because
of its vital role in the political, economic and religious landscape during the colonial period.
But far more than a museum town frozen in time, Iloilo is an emerging metropolis and
a preferred site for business and leisure.
Its modern face is represented by Megaworld’s Iloilo Business Park, a master-planned
development where major firms have made their presence felt. The enclave teems with lifestyle
shops, dining outlets, star-rated hotels and mixed-use buildings to cater to a growing urban hub.
The core of this township is the Iloilo Convention Center which aims to make the city a new hub
for MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions), a growing sector of the tourism
industry.
Known as the Icon, this state-of-the-art facility is at par with the country’s best, and has played
host to major events like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation ministerial conferences, the
ASEAN 50 Summit and the Charter Day concert of the Manila Symphony Orchestra.
Prominent hotel chains, among them Marriott, Richmonde and Seda, have sprouted around the
area to cash in on the boom in visitor arrivals which reached 994,923 in 2016 and plowed more
than P18.7 B into the local economy.

1.2. Objectives of the Study

Heritage tourism is a rapidly growing niche market. This market is fuelled

By an increasing number of domestic and international tourists, and by the increasing
Availability of global communication. Therefore, this study has three specific objectives
In order to repetitive understand heritage tourist destination with it issue and concerns.
The first objective of the study is to identify the heritage destination. The second objective of
the study is to investigate the issues and concerns. The last objective of the study is to
Analyze Iloilo City’s heritage tourist destinations are worth keeping for.
The demographic characteristics of this study are to know the main reason of Iloilo city
heritage issues and concerns.

1.3. Theoretical Basis

The study focuses the Iloilo heritage tourist destinations issues and concerns. Therefore, this
research is based on Iloilo heritages.
1.3. Hypotheses of Study

The study provides 3 hypotheses in order to analyze heritage destination issues and
concerns.

H1: there are tourist heritage destination in Iloilo

H2: There are issues and concerns to heritage

.
H3: There is a recommendation to more preserve the iloilo heritage in iloilo

1.4. Contributions of Study

The study is justified on the basis Iloilo is a province that’s rich in culture and history, and
its centuries-old churches and heritage houses. First, comprehending what
tourists seek at heritage attractions may help tourism marketers better understand
their customers. Second, identifying what is the issues and concerns to heritage destination
could help tourism planners develop strategies to attract
customers. Third, knowing how maintain the heritage destination’s sustainability.

Furthermore, this study contributes to the body of knowledge in research. The findings
should strengthen knowledge about the issues and concerns about the heritage in Iloilo city.