SOCIAL ISSUES AND CONCERNS: IMPLICATION TO THE TOURISM INDUSTRY

DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

A Thesis

Presented to the Faculty of the

College of Commerce, Secretarial and Accountancy

Saint Louis College

City of San Fernando, La Union

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements for the Degree

Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management

By

ANDAYA, CRYSTAL JADE

GALAO, JESSA MAE

MANZANO, CAMELA JASMIN B.

MUÑOZ, FEBE ROANNE DV.

PERALTA, CARLA NATASHA H.

VILLANUEVA, ANGELEEN P.

REMELYN C. LICLICAN, M.B.A

Co-Author

December 2021
 INDORSMENT

This thesis proposal entitled “SOCIAL ISSUES AND CONCERNS: IMPLICATION

TO THE TOURISM INDUSTRY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC” prepared and

submitted by CRYSTAL JADE ANDAYA, JESSA MAE GALAO, CAMELA JASMIN B.

MANZANO, FEBE ROANNE DV. MUÑOZ, CARLA NATASHA H. PERALTA, and

ANGELEEN P. VILLANUEVA in partial fulfillment for the subject RESEARCH IN

TOURISM has been examined and is recommended for acceptance and approval for Oral

Examination.

This is to further certify that CRYSTAL JADE ANDAYA, JESSA MAE GALAO,

CAMELA JASMIN B. MANZANO, FEBE ROANNE DV. MUÑOZ, CARLA NATASHA

H. PERALTA, and ANGELEEN P. VILLANUEVA are ready for Oral Examination.

REMELYN C. LICLICAN MBA

ADVISER

This is to certify that the thesis proposal entitled “SOCIAL ISSUES AND

CONCERNS: IMPLICATION TO THE TOURISM INDUSTRY DURING THE COVID-

19 PANDEMIC” prepared and submitted by CRYSTAL JADE ANDAYA, JESSA MAE

GALAO, CAMELA JASMIN B. MANZANO, FEBE ROANNE DV. MUÑOZ, CARLA

NATASHA H. PERALTA, and ANGELEEN P. VILLANUEVA are hereby recommended for

Oral Examination.

2
 Eunice D. Guerrero, MBA

Chairperson

Lee Jordan C. Acosta, MBA, LPT, MaEd

Member

Agustina C. Dumaguin, PhD

Member

Leslie C. Munar

Member

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 DEDICATION

This study is a fruit of countless sacrifices. Through the researchers’ effort, this study is

wholeheartedly dedicated to our beloved parents, who have been our source of inspiration and

gave us strength when we thought of giving up, who continually provide their moral, spiritual,

emotional, and financial support.

To our brothers, sisters, relatives, adviser, friends, and classmates who shared their words

of advice and encouragement to finish this study.

And above all, we dedicate this book to the Almighty God, for sustaining us guidance,

strength, power of mind, courage, patience, protection and for giving us a healthy life. 

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The outbreak of coronavirus has emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary public

health guidelines. This book is prepared by Crystal Jade Andaya, Jessa Mae Galao, Camela

Jasmin Manzano, Febe Roanne Muñoz, Carla Natasha Peralta and Angeleen Villanueva, fourth

year tourism students at Saint Louis College.

We would like to acknowledge the forever present, the Almighty Father, for His ever-

flowing blessings throughout the accomplishment of this research study.  His guidance helped us

surpass the stress we have experienced and gave us the determination to complete our study.

Mrs. Remelyn C. Liclican, our research adviser, whose unimaginable enormous boxful of

experience facilitated us in accomplishing this research paper.

Mr. Lee Jordan C. Acosta, Ms. Leslie Munar, and Dr. Agustina C. Dumaguin, our panel

members, together with Dr. Daniel Paguia whose suggestions and comments improved the

conduct of the research as well as the manuscript.

To our ever-supportive parents, whose inspiration, encouragement, and support lifted

heaven and earth to win this academic experience.

All others whose silent prayers helped much in building confidence that strengthened the

authors’ faith and hope that success in God’s own time and place.

ABSTRACT

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 This phenomenological research study aimed to explore and understand the lived

experiences of tourism practitioners on the social issues and concerns affecting the tourism

industry during the pandemic with the end goal of offering a career path model for the tourism

practitioners, students, and other stakeholders. Specifically, this research sought to determine

effects of social issues and concerns to the tourism industry, the coping mechanism employed by

the tourism practitioners, and the alternatives they consider within the tourism spectrum.

The researchers used intelligent transcription in interpreting the responses of ten (10)

tourism practitioners in Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union. Data resulted to various themes

respectively: (1) The effects of social issues and concerns are closure of businesses, income loss,

customer attrition, and unemployment; (2) The coping mechanisms they employed in their

business operations are resource reduction and promotional strategies; lastly, (3) The other

opportunities they consider are accommodation, mobile services, entertainment and pleasure, and

health and wellness.

Based on the findings, the researchers concluded that social issues and concerns are

significant contributors to the difficulties that business operations encounter. Not only does this

have an impact on the business, but it also has an effect on employees' economic security.

Additionally, marketing strategies and disaster risk reduction management are essential tools in

operating a business as a coping mechanism in an ever-changing environment. Lastly, the

tourism industry provides a diverse range of opportunities for practitioners to employ their

various skills. Further, most tourism practitioners are adaptive, innovative, and flexible in

business operations.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

INDORSMENT.............................................................................................................ii

DEDICATION.............................................................................................................iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS….........................................................................................v

ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................vi

CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION...................................................................................11

Background of the Study.................................................................................11

Review of the Literature..................................................................................15

Gap Analysis..................................................................................................25

Theoretical Framework..................................................................................25

Research Problem Area…………...……………………………………...………....28

Research Question..........................................................................................29

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 Assumption and Hypothesis...........................................................................29

Importance of the Study..................................................................................29

Definition of
Terms.............................................................................................................30

CHAPTER II - METHOD AND

PROCEDURES…………………………………………………………….………………..….32

Methodology..................................................................................................32

Research Design.............................................................................................32

Study Site and Selection of

Participants.....................................................................................................33

Data Measure.........................................................................................................33

Data Collection
Procedure......................................................................................................33

Mode of Data Analysis....................................................................................34

Ethical Consideration.....................................................................................34

CHAPTER III - FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION……………………….………………….....36

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CHAPTER IV - SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS…….……....53

Summary........................................................................................................53

Findings.........................................................................................................53

Conclusion.....................................................................................................54

Recommendations..........................................................................................54

REFERENCES LIST....................................................................................................56

APPENDICES............................................................................................................64

APPENDIX A...................................................................................................64

APPENDIX B..................................................................................................65

APPENDIX C...................................................................................................67

CURRICULUM VITAE................................................................................................79

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 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Social issues affect a nation adversely for they disrupt societal cohesion and fosters

antagonism and suspicion. They cause widespread social unrest, suffering, and misery. Many of

these concerns have contributed to a country's social and political imbalance over the years and

every member of society is affected both directly and indirectly.

In this context, the crisis the world is experiencing now poses many threats and chaos

because of the enormous health dilemma brought about by the coronavirus. The COVID-19

pandemic is a public health emergency that has drastically altered people's lives and perceptions. 

To restrict the spread of disease, governments around the world have halted all educational

institutions, taking into account the safety of kids, educators, and all other persons involved

(Chandra, 2020). Additionally, as a result of the coronavirus shutdown, a rising number of

companies have implemented recruiting freezes, canceled summer internships, and pushed back

start dates. Worse, because they are still adjusting to their new distant realities, many firms are

not prioritizing hiring right now.

The worsening economic repercussions on the world of work brought about by the

COVID-19 pandemic are proving to be significantly worse than the 2008-9 financial crisis, with

roughly 200 million full-time workers set to be laid off in the next three months alone, according

to the UN labour agency (United Nations, 2020). The International Labor Organization also says

that 1.6 billion employees in the informal economy – nearly half of the global workforce – are in

immediate danger of losing their jobs owing to the COVID-19 outbreak's sustained dramatic

reduction in working hours. (Geneva, 2020).

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 Consequently, the tourism industry is among the sectors that was immensely affected by

the unfortunate phenomenon impacting livelihoods, economies, public services, and

opportunities in all countries. As estimated by the World Tourism Organization (PwC, 2021), the

closure of borders, airports, and hotels, as well as limits on public gatherings, land travel, and

related services, threatens 100 to 120 million employments globally. Moreover, based on the

report of United Nations Conference Trade and Development (2021), the collapse in

international tourism caused by the coronavirus pandemic might cost the world economy more

than $4 trillion in 2020 and 2021. The direct impact of the pandemic on tourism, as well as its

rippling effect on other closely related industries, are responsible for the predicted loss. Thus,

developing countries have borne the biggest brunt of the pandemic’s impact on tourism. They

suffered the largest reductions in tourist arrivals in 2020, estimated at between 60% and 80%.

The most-affected regions are North-East Asia, South-East Asia, Oceania, North Africa and

South Asia, while the least-affected ones are North America, Western Europe and the Caribbean

(UNCTAD, 2021). 

Jobs start from the overall number of workers engaged in the tourism sector. Tourism

jobs include jobs in accommodation for visitors, food and beverage serving activities, different

types of passenger transport, transport equipment rental, travel agencies, and other reservation

services activities, as well as cultural activities.

Workers in the labor-intensive tourism industry face significant cutbacks in working

time, prospective job losses, and developing decent work issues as a result of the sharp drop-in

economic activity. For these reasons, business enterprises are definitely at risk. 

Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, the Philippines was having its longest period of economic

and job growth in history. From 2015 to 2019, pay and salary employment (a measure of modern

11
employment) grew at a stunning rate of 4.6 percent each year on average. Unfortunately, the

pandemic wiped approximately 1.7 million wage and salary jobs in the year leading up to

January 2021, reversing some of these advances. In terms of employment, the Philippines' tourist

industry employed approximately 9.571 million people in 2019 (22.8 percent of total

employment). In 2020, this number fell by 21.1 percent to 7.551 million (19.2 percent of total

employment) (Peña-Reyes, 2021). Employment in the informal sector, on the other hand,

increased by roughly 435,000 people. The pandemic could have long-term consequences for

employment. Hence, even after the economy has begun to grow again, this temporary large

shock to the economy may result in a persistently lower employment rate (Bird, 2021).

Travel restrictions and measures in other nations began in January 2020, impacting

international visitor arrivals in the Philippines. Domestic tourists, on the other hand, cut back on

their travel due to concerns about catching COVID-19. International visitor receipts fell 36% to

PHP 85 billion in the first quarter of last year, according to the Department of Tourism. In 2020,

airlines located in Asia Pacific had a total net loss of $10.5 billion. For the first nine months of

that year, Philippine Airlines reported a loss of $617.65 million, while Cebu Pacific reported a

loss of $457 million for the entire year. International flights from Manila have decreased from

10,769 in 2019 to 2,975 in 2020, while domestic flights have decreased from 13,392 to 3,739

(Masigan, 2021).

In the report of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the Philippine tourism

industry’s contribution to the economy in 2020 dropped by $37 billion in 2020 (Inquirer, 2021).

In fact, Philippine Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat stated that at least 4.8 million

Filipinos in the tourism industry have been affected by the pandemic — either they lost their jobs

or their salaries got lower. (Huaxia, 2021)

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 Without a doubt, the industry has dropped significantly as seen in the global and national

scenarios. As WTTC Gloria Guevara stated, “The outbreak poses a major threat to the tourism

economy.” Further, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (2020), “the novel

coronavirus pandemic would cause roughly 50 million individuals to lose their jobs in the

tourism industry alone.”

It could be inferred that the COVID-19 global pandemic had a detrimental effect on

business enterprises and the lives of tourism practitioners. The researchers believe that due to the

drastic circumstance affecting the said industry, locally and globally, the tourism practitioners’

livelihood and employment have significantly gone down. They also believe that, because the

tourism industry's current situation is in jeopardy, practitioners would consider diversifying into

other fields, particularly local tourism.

This prompted the researchers to conduct a phenomenological study wherein they will

investigate the implications of social issues and concerns to the tourism industry, specifically to

the tourism practitioners in Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union.

Review of the Literature

Tourism is a result, but also a cause of people’s highly interconnected and global world;

pollution, waste, and climate change; global, national, and regional economic development and

growth; and the superiority of capitalism values in people and businesses' decision-making, as

well as policy and political formulations. Pandemics are predicted to become more widespread in

the future as climate change increases the frequency of pandemics and breakouts (World

Economic Forum (2019), highlighting the intertwined nature and vicious circle interactions

between the biological, physical, and socio-economic systems. Moreover, the economic system

13
and mindset contributing to the COVID-19 has also been guiding and shaping the COVID-19

response and recovery strategies of governments, institutions, businesses, and people alike. This

can significantly perpetuate and repeat crises by treating their symptoms and not their roots. For

example, economic priorities for maintaining business continuity and jobs, resume and

recovering to the old ‘economic success growth, have been driving governments’ policies and

practices such as: economic support (e.g. subsidies, tax reliefs) to tourism businesses and

employees, debates for relaxation of restrictions for re-opening, and re-starting economies at the

expense of a second way and human lives. Similarly, people have engaged in panic buying and

(over)-consumption of online experiences (e.g. virtual entertainment, dining, drinking, traveling)

during lock-downs, that demonstrate their persistence, preference and fear of losing to their

‘consumerism’ traditional lifestyles deemed essential for their success and happiness. 

In the study conducted by Noorashid and Chin (2021), they stated that since the outbreak

of COVID-19 in late 2019, global flows and mobility have been disrupted, causing economic

losses in the tourism industry, affecting human freedom and travel rights, as well as posing

challenges to public services and hospitality, job precariousness, and emotional health, and

wellbeing. Smaller establishments and companies were also affected by the pandemic. Resilience

and the adoption of transformative activities are required to ensure sustainability and continuity

of operations in many areas as the pandemic continues to alter how global citizens view many

aspects of lifestyle. With more than 259 million confirmed cases worldwide as of November

2021, multinational communities are still struggling to cope with the pandemic's continued

consequences to the economy. Many studies have been conducted in order to assess the existing

condition and develop future guidelines and action plans for global communities.

14
 The pandemic has also impacted job employment on a global scale. The analysis of

Chirumbolo et al.  (2021) on 830 Italian workers showed that job insecurity and life precarity

have had a detrimental impact on consumer behaviors, due to the decreasing level of economic

opportunities and livelihood. Other studies also report on the loss of employment caused by

ceased business operations, which further led to raising mental and health issues. Moreover,

Jiang and Wen (2021) reported several intersections raising health concerns and the hospitality

industry not only among business practitioners but also consumers worldwide.

The pandemic has had a destructive detrimental effect on the hospitality industry globally

(Gössling et al., 2020). As stated by Jasmine (2020) in her report, firms reduced employees'

salaries, had staff laid off, and implemented work from home schemes. Similarly, Wang et al.

(2020) argue marketing innovation strategies need to be properly implemented during this

pandemic e.g., reservations cancellation due to COVID-19 crisis. Vardarlıer (2016) recommends

avoiding dismissing employees during a crisis by rearranging wages, reorganizing hours of work,

and abrogating bonus and rewards payments. Moreover, it remains critical for hotels to carry out

emergency procedures, cleanliness and sanitation practices, and health screening of personnel to

manage crises related to infectious illnesses (Henderson & Ng, 2004). The health and safety of

staff remains paramount in the COVID-19 pandemic (Rosemberg, 2020) and other crises.

According to De Freitas and Stedefeldt (2020), restaurants try to build resilience in the

COVID-19 pandemic by implementing sanitary legislation and food safety practices, training

their staff on hygiene and sanitation, and using social media to announce implementation of

health and hygiene to build consumers’ trust in food and beverage services. The survival of

hospitality businesses is based on increasing the demand for their services and products (Gursoy

& Chi, 2020). Additionally, digitalization in delivering products and services, redesigning

15
products, innovative delivery channels, designing alternative digital products and services, and

participating with specialists in the ecosystem are some of the important strategies to face this

pandemic (Seetharaman, 2020). Hao et al. (2020) exhibited that the hotel industry in China

adopted innovative measures to revitalize performance and protect employees and customers via

implementing social responsibilities. Moreover, Elbaz et al. (2020) investigated the influence of

work–leisure conflict (WLC) on the performance of employees in Egyptian hotels and travel

agencies through the mediating role of employee burnout related to emotional exhaustion,

cynicism and professional efficacy.

Based on the United Nations World Tourism Organization (2020), COVID-19 tourism

impacts will be uneven in space and time, and apart from the human tool, estimates show an

enormous and international economic impact: international tourist arrivals are estimated to drop

to 78% causing a loss of US$ 1.2 trillion in export revenues from tourism and 120 million direct

tourism job cuts representing seven times the impact of September 11, and the largest decline in

the history. Being one of the most important global employers (1 in 10 jobs are directly related to

tourism, UNWTO, 2020) and the major GDP contributor for several countries, tourism and

COVID-19 are the epicenter of all international discussions and economies.

In many Asia Pacific countries, more than three in four workers in the tourism sector are

in informal jobs, leaving them especially vulnerable to the negative impacts of the COVID-19

crisis. Informal sector jobs are characterized by a lack of basic protection, including social

protection coverage. Workers that continue to omit the job in hotels, airlines, or other hospitality

industries typically do not have the option to work remotely, and, therefore, have a heightened

risk of COVID-19 infection. For those who do fall ill, as informal workers they may be

16
disadvantaged in access to health-care services and have no income replacement if they stop

working in case of sickness or lockdowns.

Scholars have identified the impact of various previous epidemics on the economy and

the tourism industry. The earlier studies have determined that such pandemics have relatively

less impact than the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. The notable epidemics and pandemics which

influenced the world economy are H1N1 influenza, SARS, HIV AIDS pandemic, Ebola virus,

Zika virus, and now, COVID-19. Those pandemics and epidemics created huge economic losses

globally. The SARS epidemic was the most influential disease in the tourism industry, as it

affected international air travel for six months (IATA, 2020).

As a result, during a recession, luxury products and services, such as tourism, are

expected to decline dramatically, affecting arrivals and tourism receipts in destinations. In order

to maintain or improve their market share, destinations must anticipate such negative movements

in demand by lowering prices or identifying add value demand methods, or by weakening their

currencies in contrast to the primary countries of origin (when possible).

The tourism industry in Brazil has suffered significant losses, with over 80% of

accommodation services and all of the country's parks and tourist attractions closed. Without

government backing, the sector might lose roughly US$ 6.2 billion by 2020, as inbound visits to

Brazil could drop by half. While lockdown measures in France resulted in the closure of 75,000

restaurants, 3,000 clubs, and 40,000 cafes at the end of March, affecting 1 million workers who

were placed on technical unemployment. In tourism-dependent areas of the UK, 80 percent of

workers in the hotel and restaurant industries were said to be on furlough, with around a third of

jobs at risk in the long run. On the other hand, 2020 is expected to be the worst year on record

for hotel occupancy in the United States, resulting in massive employment losses. Nearly 1.6

17
million hotel employees have been put off or furloughed since the crisis began, and 3.9 million

hotel-supported jobs have been destroyed. (ILO, 2020).

The outbreak has reduced foreign tourist arrivals to a fraction of what they were a year

ago in the first quarter of 2020. According to Lubowiecki-Vikuk and Sousa (2021), the tourism

industry shifted from overtourism to ‘no tourism' as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact,

in the findings from the study of Baert et al. (2020), many respondents anticipate that in the

future, people would view the labor market differently and have different work-related goals.

The study administered by Vanicek et al. (2021), presented that despite their

conundrums, the majority of students regard a career in tourism as a viable option. They

anticipate an increase in domestic tourism and a decline in outgoing and arriving tourists. They

predict that this trend will continue in the next few years. Opinions on the global development of

tourism are similar to those on the growth of national tourism.

In the national setting, the government of the Philippines closed Luzon's airports on

March 20, 2020 as part of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), which began on the

island on March 16. The tourism industry has already begun to feel the effects of the pandemic

on its performance. Travel restrictions and measures in other nations began in January of this

year, affecting international visitor arrivals in the Philippines. Domestic visitors, on the other

hand, have cut back on their travel because of concerns about getting COVID-19.

The Philippines' nascent tourism industry is poised to lose even more revenue in 2021, as

the danger of the hyper-contagious Delta variant prompts further regulations and anxieties that

could further stifle demand.

According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (2021), travel receipts are expected to drop

by 80% year on year in 2021, which would be worse than the 79.5 percent drop seen in 2020. In

18
a press conference, BSP Senior Assistant Governor Iluminada Sicat explained the lowered

forecasts, saying that the sector's revival "would be dependent on the resolution of the health

issue."

Pricewaterhous Business Services and Department of Tourism surveyed 247 respondents.

The tourism services industry (i.e., travel agencies, bookings, excursions, etc.) accounts for 44%

of respondents, while the lodging sector accounts for 34%. According to the survey, 97% of

respondents believe COVID-19 will have a substantial influence on their business operations and

is giving them significant concern. This is not surprising given that during the ECQ, only firms

providing critical services and products were allowed to function. Because of the low demand

and constraints, the majority of respondents claim they have temporarily stopped delivering a

service/product, lowered their level of operations, and cut the number of employees.

(PricewaterhousCoopers, 2020). 

Filipinos have been allowed to go overseas for leisure since late October 2020, but with

most international borders still blocked and the pandemic still running, few are likely to do so in

the near future. This has opened up opportunities for local sites that are prepared to welcome

visitors from different parts of the country (Oxford Business Group, 2021). Several surveys were

conducted between March and May 2020 by Tajara Leisure and Hospitality Group and tourism

platform Experience Philippines, they found out that travelers are more likely to prefer rural,

remote, and natural regions, as well as beaches, to mainstream and metropolitan areas; they are

more likely to seek individualized experiences; and health and safety regulations, as well as cost,

will be important factors.

The outbreak has heightened traveler expectations regarding health and safety, with more

than 80% of respondents expecting tourist businesses to adhere to cleanliness and health best

19
practices. At least 88 percent of respondents also say they are willing to follow existing health

and safety guidelines, such as conducting fast COVID-19 tests before departure and providing a

medical certificate (Department of Tourism, 2020).

In the report of Oxford Business Group (2020), it was stated that Philippine policymakers

and stakeholders are seeking to adjust the sector's offering and place a greater emphasis on

domestic tourism in order to aid the country's recovery. To connect hotels, tourism sites, and

other services with the expectations of the new normal, increased health and safety procedures

have been introduced. Meanwhile, the industry is preparing for the future with a shift toward

digitalization and the use of technology to upskill the workforce.

Domestic tourism, according to the Department of Tourism, would play a key role in the

Philippines' ailing tourism industry's revival in 2020. Moreover, ecotourism is another possible

direction for local tourism in a post-COVID-19 future. Travel Trade Gazette Asia examines the

prospects for environmental tourism in the foreseeable future, particularly travelers' growing

concerns about congested areas. According to John Roberts, Director of Sustainability and

Conservation at Minor Hotels Group, who was interviewed for the piece, outdoor-centric

activities in safer, low-risk areas already provide ecotourism a leg up. He also urged industry

players to begin training on ecotourism principles and practices as soon as possible. The local

market is expected to rebound ahead of the foreign market, and if handled appropriately, it can

be a particularly bright point in the industry's revival (Gonzales, 2020). 

According to Austria (2021), despite the presence of new variants, the Department of

Health's Center for Health Development in the Ilocos Region (DOH-CHD 1) has certified that

the number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases in the region is now on the decline.

Dr. Rheuel Bobis, DOH-CHD 1 Covid-19 focal person, stated in an interview that the number of

20
active cases grew to 5,542 in April, then to 5,090 in May, based on their monitoring. There were

99, 858 current COVID-19 cases in the region as of November 26, 2021. Bobis (2021) stated that

the increasing number could be attributable to the presence of new COVID-19 varieties in the

region, but given the current declining trend, it can be concluded that the local government units

have successfully confined the new variants.

Garcia (2021) reported that last May 22, the local administration of La Union reopened

all tourism activities in an effort to resurrect the tourism business, which had been crippled by

the COVID-19 outbreak. Only 700 registered tourists from Luzon aged 15 to 65 years old would

be permitted to enter the province per day, according to Governor Emmanuel Ortega III's

Executive Order No. 27. Tourists are also limited to visit only the province's specified tourist

attractions. Tourists must have negative RT-PCR test results within 72 hours after their arrival,

regardless of their country of origin.

Further, based on Mugas (2021), Ilocos Norte and La Union provinces have formed a

collaboration to share travel promotion and resources to aid local stakeholders in recovering

from pandemic-related tourist losses. On May 12, Governors of Ilocos Norte Matthew Marcos

Manotoc and Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III of La Union signed a memorandum of

understanding (MOU) at the virtual launch of the "I'm IN LUv" tourism marketing and

promotion cooperation.

Tourism and hospitality operations must change their focus to strengthening the home

market, while applying technology improvements and recalibrating their strategy to diversifying

local products, services, and resources, in order to revive tourism and the community economy.

The majority of literature on COVID-19 and tourism has also elevated the necessity of

policymaking in efforts to assure sustainability even after the COVID-19 era, as more scholarly

21
works suggest the importance of small-scale industries and domestic tourism amid the pandemic

(Noorashid & Chin, 2021).

The related reviews of literature presented above have fundamental relation to the present

study. The studies shown above will contribute to better understanding of the implications of

social issues and concerns to the tourism practitioners and tourism industry.

Gap Analysis

Local studies regarding the implications of social issues and concerns to the tourism

industry are still limited or perhaps non-existent considering that the pandemic has just occurred

and spread throughout the world in the previous year, 2020. The researchers, therefore, aim to

contribute to the literature in the local or regional setting.

Theoretical Framework

The researchers, who aim to analyze social issues and concerns to the tourism industry

during the COVID-19 crisis, decided to base our research on four main theories: Crisis

Management and Social Sustainability Theories, Social Cognitive Career Theory, Maslow’s

Hierarchy of Needs, and Sustainable Development Theory.

         Faulkner defined the disaster in the tourism industry as follows: “where an enterprise (or

collection of enterprises in the case of a tourist destination) is confronted with sudden

unpredictable catastrophic changes over which it has little control” (Faulkner, 2001, P144) and

22
developed a tourism disaster management framework with six main phases. However, in general,

Crisis Management Theory  mainly focuses on organizational learning and changes in internal

and external policies. Organizations use the crises as the learning possibilities and therefore

develop crisis management strategies for future challenges (Bundy et al., 2017; Coombs &

Laufer, 2018). Paraskevas (2006) define the phase as a "clean-up" process when the organization

analyzes crisis management to evaluate strengths, shortcomings, and learnings from the failures

that will lead the company to updated and valuable knowledge. Faulkner emphasizes two main

phases related to the post-crisis period in the tourism disaster management framework. In long-

term recovery and resolution phases organizations focus on counseling victims of the crisis and

putting all necessary measures to ensure the recovery of the crisis victims. The recovery process

can be different based on many circumstances related to specific organizations or tourism

destinations in general. According to the theory, crises might affect developing countries more,

with less diversity in economic sectors. The likelihood of a deeper crisis increases when the

country’s dependency on the tourism sector is higher (Allen, 2003).

         Sustainable development has been one of the driving forces of the world economy from

the end of the 20th century, caused by increasing awareness of the expected ecological crisis.

The concept is commonly described by the triple bottom line model, which on itself recognizes

three main dimensions of sustainability. According to the model sustainable development is

achieved when all economic, environmental, and social goals are fulfilled simultaneously (GRI,

2006). Not only in the hotel industry but also generally in organizational studies stakeholder

approach is a common method for defining the social dimension of sustainability. According to

Dillard et al. (2008), social interactions are a core part of organizations and involve a diverse

network of participating and/or impacted stakeholders such as staff, suppliers, customers, and the

23
community. “Business organizations have a myriad of social impacts from their interaction with,

inter alia, employees, suppliers, communities, and consumers. These impacts vary depending on

the nature of the organization, its activities, and stakeholder interactions''. Dillard et al. (2008)

emphasize the importance of secure employment contracts, fair working conditions, and fair

salaries for the employees. Organizations also recognize their influence on their local

communities and should try to eliminate the negative consequences of the influence. And finally,

according to the theory, companies have a responsibility toward their customers to deliver safe

products by using responsible marketing tools, giving them accurate information about the

product and the risks associated with its consumption.

         American psychologist Abraham Maslow proposed in his Hierarchy of Needs (a theory

of psychological health based on fulfilling essential human needs) can also be considered to a

greater understanding of the social issues and concerns in the Tourism Industry during the

pandemic, in which their health and safety are at stake. This approach can shed light on

industries and occupations in terms of services provided to others. Adding that framework to the

career choice discussion can be useful to professionals in both career services and recruiting. The

theory can contribute another dimension to understanding the roles played by recruiters and their

organizations. One basic tenet of Maslow’s system is that individuals are unlikely to progress to

higher level preoccupations if they are uncertain how to satisfy a more basic need — hard to

think about your self-esteem when you are hungry. With the levels of debt faced by current

employees nowadays, it is evidently hard surprising that their concerns revolve around security

and acquiring the resources to free themselves from their financial commitments. Perhaps those

‘lucky’ employees who make it into the financial sector become trapped at this basic level

24
because they are surrounded by a culture which reinforces the message that happiness can only

be secured through the accumulation of wealth.

The study considers The Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) was originally created

by Lent’s team during the mid-1990s. The theory advocated that individuals’ behaviors are not a

result and outcome of individual behaviors and selections. Rather, financial considerations,

internal and external environmental influences, career successes, and personal aspirations all

play a role in an individual's job development and choosing. Individuals' career development can

be influenced by a single or several causes, according to the theory. In order to investigate the

study and background and understand the holistic performance of employee’s behaviors and

concepts, the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) has been used for the research. The goal

of the SCCT is to examine and analyze career choices based on employment opportunities, as

well as individual performance, internal and external influences. Therefore, the SCCT provides

the lens and tools for researchers to explore and discover the reasons and motivations of career

development and decision. In this case, the researcher employed this SCCT as the lens to

understand and explore how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the experience, sense of

belonging, and career decision-making process of employees.

Research Problem Area

The study aims to explore and understand the lived experiences of tourism practitioners

on the social issues and concerns affecting the tourism industry during the pandemic.

Research Question

How do social issues and concerns affect the tourism industry during the pandemic?

25
Assumption and Hypothesis

This research study is based on the notion that the tourism practitioners are considering

other career opportunities within the tourism spectrum as their current employment status is in

jeopardy. The researchers assume the tourism practitioners will most likely engage in local

tourism to sustain their livelihood.

Importance of the Study

This research study will determine the perceptions of tourism students on their chosen

career and industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of the study are deemed to

benefit the following: 

Department of Tourism (Region 1). This research would contribute to an increased and

faster monitoring and data collection about perceptions of tourism students during these trying

times.

Institutions Offering Tourism Management Courses. This study aims to give

additional information that they may discuss to their students according to their chosen career

path.

Academic Administrators. The findings of the study can be used as reference guides for

educational planning and policy formation at the instructional level by academic administrators.

Curriculum Makers. Through the analysis that would be presented in this study, it may

serve as an objective reference for educational development plans and policies, and curriculum

development.

Stakeholders and Parents. The results of the study would aid the stakeholders and

parents to help the tourism management students discern as they pursue their desired career in

the tourism industry.

26
 Tourism Management Students. The students are the direct beneficiaries of the study.

Through this study, they would be able to gain insights and realizations upon their career as they

pursue their aspirations in the tourism industry. 

Researchers. Through this study, the researchers would be able to come up with

strategies and this can serve as their reference. 

Future researchers. This study would serve as their guide for the future research that

they would conduct.

Definition of Terms

To provide a clear understanding of the terms used in the study, the following were

defined operationally: 

Career Path Model. The term refers to the process of aligning opportunities for

employee career growth with organizational talent priorities.

COVID-19. It refers to a virus that caused global pandemic, loss of jobs, and greatly

affected many industries, including the tourism sector.

Implication. A possible future effect or result. This refers to inferences from the findings

and explains why they are significant for policy, practice, or theory.

Social Issues. A problem that affects many people within a society. It refers to challenges

that have an impact on our society such as poverty and unemployment.

Social Concerns. Any issue, problem, or conflict that is a high priority for a society to

solve or prevent. It refers to any dilemma that needs to be worked out or resolved in society.

Tourism Industry. It refers to an industry wherein the said students will apply for

employment.

27
 CHAPTER II

METHOD AND PROCEDURES

This part of the study presents the method and procedures that will be conducted. It

includes the research methodology, research design, study site and selection of participants, data

measure, data collection procedure, mode of data analysis, and ethical considerations.

Methodology

Qualitative research is used in this research. Patton and Cochran (2007) that qualitative

research is distinguished by its goals of recognizing other facets of social existence, and by its

28
techniques of producing terms rather than statistics, as evidence for examination. Qualitative

research is fully understanding the social  trend  on  the  grounds  of  the  participant's  point of 

view. 

Research Design

The researchers will employ phenomenological research design to conduct the study.

Phenomenology helps in the understanding of the respondents’ lived experiences (Duquesne

University, 2020). It is a philosophy of experience (Armstrong, n.d.) and is the study of

structures of consciousness as experienced from the first-person point of view (Smith, 2018).

The researchers will utilize phenomenological research design in conducting this study to

determine the students’ thoughts and observations that have been contributing factors on how

they perceive their chosen career and industry during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Study Site and Selection of Participants

The study will be conducted at Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union, the Surfing Capital of

the North. 

In the selection of participants, the sampling technique that will be used is purposive

sampling. Purposive sampling is a form of non-probability sampling in which researchers rely on

their own judgment when choosing members of the population to participate in their surveys.

Thus, the researchers decided to select the tourism practitioners who will serve as respondents on

this study. The respondents are purposefully selected as key informants for this study because

they are one of the most affected during this pandemic.

29
Data Measure

The researchers will employ unstructured interview questions in gathering data from the

respondents. The researcher will be conducting a face-to-face interview with the tourism

practitioners in Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union. 

Data Collection Procedure

This study aims to determine the lived experiences of the tourism practitioners in

Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union.

On the interview questionnaire, the researchers will employ the 4-step Interview Protocol

Refinement (IPR) Framework by Castillo-Montoya (2016). The procedures were to (1) Ensure

that interview questions and research topics were aligned. In this stage, the researchers

developed an interview development guide containing the interview questions which was derived

from the concept of human layer experience. Additionally, the IDG contains the definition and

its citation. (2) Build an inquiry-based dialogue. In this stage, the researchers established an

inquiry-based dialogue through an interview protocol with interview questions which is anchored

on the research question. (3) Receive input on interview protocols. In this stage, the researchers

will acquire responses and data from the participants. And (4) Pilot test the interview questions.

However, the fourth stage, which is to pilot the interview, was not employed by the researchers

because of the limited access to the key informants. Nevertheless, not employing the said stage is

accepted according to the protocol framework (Castillo-Montoya, 2016) as long as stages one to

three were carried out. The IPR framework is a useful tool for increasing the reliability and

validity of interview protocols. (Acosta, 2020).

30
 The responses will be treated with strict confidentiality and neutrality and their

identification will not be disclosed. The information answered and given by the respondents will

be prohibited to be seen by non-members.

Mode of Data Analysis

To analyze the data, the researchers will be using a deductive thematic analysis. In

deductive thematic analysis, a structure or predetermined framework is used to analyze data.

Essentially, the researchers impose their own structure or theories on the data and then use these

to analyze it. This approach is particularly useful when one has specific research questions that

already identify the main themes or categories used to group the data and then look for

similarities and differences. Given that this approach is relatively quicker and easier to perform,

it is also particularly useful when time and resources are limited. 

Ethical Consideration

The responses of the participants will be treated with confidentiality and objectivity. The

study will take into consideration the balanced, fair, and equal treatment of the respondents

despite their possible differences or contradictions of perceptions. The results of this study would

serve as bases for an objective decision-making. In view of this, the study will be conducted in

strict compliance to SLC Policy Guidelines on Research Ethics.

31
 CHAPTER III

FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

This part of the research deals with the presentation of data gathered, the analysis, and the

interpretation. This presents the answers to the interview questions posited in the investigation.

Career Path Model

The analyses of the responses of participants done through intelligent transcription

revealed the effects, coping mechanisms, and other opportunities that tourism practitioners

consider amid the social issues and concerns. Themes under Effects of Social Issues and

Concerns include Closure of Businesses, Income Loss, Customer Attrition, and Unemployment.

32
On the other hand, themes included in Coping Mechanisms are Resource Reduction and

Promotional Strategies. While the themes for other Opportunities within the Tourism Industry

include Accommodation, Entertainment, Mobile Services, and Health & Wellness.

Based on the generated themes from the responses of the participants and the study's

major findings, the researchers developed a career path model for tourism practitioners.

The model incorporates symbols that depict the lived experiences of tourism practitioners

in Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union - their dilemma in the tourism industry in the face of social

issues and concerns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

On page 38, Figure 1 shows two pathways that are in the same gloomy weather condition

which signifies the world’s current situation right now - COVID-19 pandemic. It depicts the

negative impact of the outbreak to different industries, particularly the tourism sector. It can be

observed that the highway is parted into two roads. The left road leads to the current existing

business/employment of a tourism practitioner while the right road leads to their alternative

within the tourism spectrum.

The roadblocks on the left path represent the difficulties and constraints that tourism

practitioners are currently encountering in their enterprises as a result of the aforementioned

social issue and concern such as closure of businesses, income loss, customer attrition,

unemployment, also including COVID-19 protocols and guidelines as a barrier to their progress.

The right path, on the other hand, shows a much smoother road and it has only a checkpoint

indicating that potential options in the tourism industry have less obstacles than their existing

operation. Along the road were their alternatives namely, accommodation, mobile services,

entertainment and pleasure, and health and wellness.

33
 Lastly, the person in the middle of the road represents the tourism practitioners

themselves deciding which path they would want to take - their existing business/employment or

the other opportunities. It can be seen that the person is carrying tools that symbolize the coping

mechanisms/strategies such as  risk reduction management and that tourism practitioners use for

their business and as their risk management, applicable to any of the routes he/she will take and

these are: resource reduction and promotional strategies.

Figure 1. Career Path Model

Implication of Social Issues and Concerns to the Tourism Industry during the COVID-19

Pandemic

34
 Today’s world poses many threats and issues that critically affect the tourism industry.

Owners and employees of tourism enterprises are being challenged to think outside and beyond

the box in order to keep their businesses afloat in the new normal. In light of this, seeking

alternatives and implementing strategies are essential for them to remain existent.

To deal with the crisis, tourism managers must thoroughly examine the effects of the

pandemic on their businesses and embrace a new risk management framework (Skare et al.,

2021). In order to ensure a better outcome, practitioners must also immerse themselves in other

fields that are more relevant and in demand these days to secure their livelihood. Continuous

adaptation of changes is a necessity for businesses to survive after all.

Effects of Social Issues and Concerns in the Tourism Industry

The business world today is directly or indirectly impacted by different external factors

such as financial, sociocultural, global, political, and technological. The changes in these factors

lead to a change in business performance in industry in the region-specific or worldwide. The

world is aware of the COVID-19 pandemic and its social outcomes remain ambiguous. 

Tourism practitioners understand the complexities of this new normal situation to their

businesses and livelihood which should be addressed in a critical and systematic manner. The

following are the perceived effects of social issues and concerns by the tourism practitioners in

Urbiztondo, San Juan, La Union.

The participants in this study were asked the question, “How do social issues and

concerns affect the tourism industry during the pandemic?”. Various responses reveal a

recurring theme that focuses on their viewpoints and opinions on the Effects of Social Issues and

35
Concerns in the Tourism Industry which highlight - Closure of Businesses, Income Loss,

Customer Attrition, and Unemployment.

Closure of Businesses

Some governments have decided to close nearly their whole economy for a period of

time, while others have chosen selective shutdown of varying scope. (Bongaerts et al., 2021) 

As responded by the participants on the interview question, “how do social issues and

concerns affect the tourism industry?”, some of them used a global perspective as their context

to answer the question. For instance, Company 1 stated, “All business establishments, land, and

sea transportation, and even government offices are closed.” Likewise, Company 6 said,

“During this time, the main reasons for social issues affected their livelihood. The closures of

businesses is an effect of the global pandemic.” While Company 7 utilized their own business to

convey their views and notions, they stated, “we were forced to close our business because of

lack of customers/tourists”. Lastly, due to the social issues and concerns such as travel

guidelines and restrictions, additional expenses requirements, and worries on health and safety

Company 10 mentioned, “these reasons impede the movement of our tourists to travel and

resulted in the closure of several establishments like hotels and restaurants.”

The participants' responses mainly emphasized the need for business closure as a result of

the escalating challenges and worries in the country caused by the coronavirus outbreak. It could

be inferred that the extensive repercussions of the pandemic had prompted many businesses to

shut down, particularly those in the tourism industry in order to avoid further collapse and losses.

The findings corroborate that of Amankwah-Amoah (2016) many factors, particularly

declining customer demand can trigger a business’ deterioration and eventual demise. Moreover,

according to Silverman, Nickerson, and Freeman (1997) early studies of business failure

36
frequently looked at general environmental issues including technical innovations, recession,

general environmental volatility, increased government taxation, and deregulation as main

reasons of business failure.

Income Loss and Customer Attrition

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the small business sector. (JP Morgan

Chase & Co. 2020). Due to the protocols and restrictions the government has implemented to

regulate the spread of the virus, businesses suffered losses of income and customers that

significantly distressed their operations and livelihood.

In the context of putting businesses in halt, Company 1 expressed that, “sources of

income for those that rely on tourists have to suffer.” On the other hand, due to the lack of

tourists, Company 2 pointed out their struggles in their business by stating, “it has affected us

by getting less customers and also low income”. While Company 4 said, “Walang turista, locals

lang (ang) customers namin.”

Similar to the statement of Company 3 which was, “it has affected us by getting less

customers and also low income” Company 5 said, “working in tourism related activities

particularly on the hotel and restaurant management, the income significantly dropped”. While

Company 6 mentioned that, “the closures of businesses was an effect of the global pandemic,

the main reason was lack of food and salary income”

Additionally according to Company 7, “Due to lack of tourists caused by social issues

and concerns and the loss of income. It affected our business in the sense that we have no

income. For us, entrepreneurs, it’s not favorable because if we don’t have guests or customers,

we cannot operate.” Likewise, Company 8 shared the same sentiment, “the lack of tourism

caused social issues from the loss of income. Our business had no income from the inability of

37
tourists to enter La Union caused my business to temporarily close. If the lockdown continues

further, it might be more favorable to be an employee than an entrepreneur.” 

Lastly, Company 10 had the similar circumstance as mentioned above and they said,

“we had few customers, there were no tourists and students which were our primary target

market, our government had to impose community lockdowns and travel restrictions and these

led to cessation of our operations.”

These responses imply that there was a crucial disturbance to businesses’ income and

customer arrival attributable to the global pandemic. Several restrictions imposed  by the

government to address the worldwide virus caused the significant decline of enterprises’ sales

and revenue.

The finding of the present study is related to the study conducted by Dilliard et al. (2008)

which revealed that social interactions are a core part of organizations and involve a diverse

network of participating and/or impacted stakeholders such as staff, suppliers, customers, and the

community. They also stated that business organizations have a myriad of social impacts from

their interaction with, inter alia, employees, suppliers, communities, and consumers. These

impacts vary depending on the nature of the organization, its activities, and stakeholder

interactions.

Unemployment

Many organizations and businesses were compelled to lay off staff as a result of the

abrupt changes of the pandemic, resulting in an increase in unemployment rates both locally and

globally. This has an impact on many families and individuals who rely on their income to get

by.

38
 As the world got swept by the pandemic, many establishments were forced to let go of

some of their employees. As Company 1 mentioned, “it will take a lot of time for business to

recover, especially the ones that are in the tourism industry. There are a lot of people who lost

their jobs due to the pandemic and before they can even go for vacations”. This statement was

affirmed by Company 5 stating that, “a considerable number of people have lost their jobs that

affect their economic activities, especially their time to unwind, pushing their belts to be more on

their needs rather than focus more on wanting to cope with the challenges brought by the

pandemic”. Similar to this, Company 9 reiterated, “much like most of the country, employment -

or lack thereof - was one of the biggest concerns (and) problems”.

These statements show the consequence of the virus outbreak to the pursuit in life of

tourism practitioners. One of the most obvious aftermaths was the impending unemployment

rate. Many lost their jobs either because they fell victim as the virus spread, or due to the strict

changes in our economy. Some businesses got challenged by the decreased availability of labor

force. Due to the external environment affecting one’s operations, businesses were forced to

terminate some of their employees to reduce their expenditures.

The finding supports the Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) by Lent which

advocated that individuals’ behaviors are not a result and outcome of individual behaviors and

selections. Rather, several factors like financial considerations, and internal and external

environmental influences play a role in an individual's job development and choosing.

Individuals' career development can be influenced by a single or several causes. 

39
 In a similar context for the US economy, Coibion et al. (2020) revealed that most of the

workers suffering from job losses are no longer looking for work. Thus, it brings further increase

in the overall unemployment rate. 

Coping Mechanisms

The financial downturn resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has affected each and

every industry. Big problems require big solutions. Business owners would need to come up with

creative solutions to help their business to survive the next phase of the pandemic. Small

businesses across the country are experiencing a new lower level of revenue as a result of the

COVID-19 pandemic. In order to stay afloat, many businesses have been forced to right size

their profit and loss statement to stabilize the business. Right sizing can include laying off staff,

eliminating currently unoccupied office space, employing a more cost-effective marketing plan. 

Some owners sadly have no choice but to close their businesses. Some of them took the

challenge to face and find a way to adapt and innovate as they transcend to a new normal and for

their business survive 

The participants in this study were asked “How do you cope with these issues and

concerns?”. They have identified Resource Reduction and Promotional Strategies.

Resource Reduction

The most practical way for owners in order for their business to survive this pandemic is

to reduce some of their resources.  In this way, they would be able to focus their finances on their

priorities by reducing their expenditure on less crucial elements. 

It is important to the health of a company to manage costs and resources. An effective

resource reduction plan is one that focuses on lowering costs in every business activity. The

40
reduction should not compromise the quality of products or services rendered. Thus, resource

reduction must aim at the elimination of wasteful elements in methods of doing things. This is a

continuous process of critically examining various elements of costs and each aspect of the

business. 

According to Company 1, “For my business to cope with the situation, I had to do a lot

of cost cutting in terms of investing in new equipment, letting go of employees and I had to close

my business on some of the days due to lack of customers.”. Meanwhile, Company 4 stated,

“Cost cutting without compromising the quality of our products. We let go of some of our

employees and reduced some items and equipment.”. For Company 5, “income is a major

concern and because of this challenge we have to cut some of the staff hours and the usual

number of offerings we have”. 

On the other hand, Company 7 said that they did “drastic lifestyle changes” similar to

what Company 8 has mentioned, “cost cutting and drastic lifestyle changes”.  

While Company 9 stated that, “to the best of my ability, I let go of some of our

employees”. Lastly, Company 10 expressed, “retrenchment of employees, keeping everyone

healthy and safe, and money management. I opted to cease our operations to minimize overhead

expenses and to avert bankruptcy”.

This demonstrates that one of the most effective strategies for organizations facing a

crisis is to minimize expenses by laying off people and cutting costs in order to prevent excessive

losses and recoup profits. This also shows that business establishments really need to let go of

some of their employees and reduce their expenses. These should be addressed immediately for

the sake of their business and to prevent closure. Still, most of them believe that they will cope

up and will rise again this coming year. 

41
 As emphasized by Hagger (2015) in his Conservation of Resources Theory, in part,

because they offer new ways of testing the resource investment processes relevant to the theory.

For example, by considering the ways that employees manage their resources at work, issues like

how they assess their available resources, pay attention to changes in resources, and self-regulate

to decide how best to invest those resources become targets for change. The better management

of an organization's resources leads to firms' survival and growth.

Promotional Strategies

Business owners must seek out ways to strategically promote what they have to offer to

prospective clients in order for their enterprise to be productive and well-known. During these

hard times, businesses are expected to be creative and imaginative in order to remain competitive

and attract more customers. Promotion can be seen as a way of closing the information gap

between would-be sellers and would-be buyers (Jones, 2007). Zeithaml et al. (1985) described

promotion as part of a specific effort to encourage customers to tell others about their services. 

          Different promotional strategies by various firms, as shared by Company 2, “by adding

food products on our menu like unli wings and also adjusting our operation hours earlier”. On

the other hand, Company 3 expressed their modern strategy stating, “We post a lot on social

media to attract customers”.

Further, focusing on innovation to better promote their business, Company 5 mentioned,

“the best way is to be more innovative like offering generous services and also addressing the

concerns. We have reached out through them by offering more services that will enhance their

wellbeing.”.

Similar to company 2 on add-ons on their establishment, Company 6 said, "we are

selling different kinds of food just to have an income". Lastly, Company 10 exhibited a positive

42
response by saying, “by being resourceful, patient, optimistic, and by thinking of alternative

ways to make a living”.

Despite their current condition and the stress brought on by the coronavirus pandemic,

most of the respondents remain positive and have great expectations for the future.

           As governments race to minimize economic losses, and be the first to reopen borders and

(tourism) businesses, and financial markets, investors, cash liquidity and financial survival are

equally pressing multinational and small tourism enterprises (Sigala,2020).

Other Opportunities in the Tourism Industry

The tourism industry is a wide spectrum of opportunities for various people with different

sets of skills, such fields include, business, entertainment, agriculture, and many more. Hence,

tourism practitioners have a lot of options to choose from wherein they can effectively and

efficiently apply their talents and assets, especially during this coronavirus outbreak.

The participants were asked the question, “What opportunities do you consider in other

fields of the tourism industry? Various responses reveal a recurring theme that focuses on their

options on the Other Opportunities in the Tourism Industry, these are: Accommodation, Mobile

Services, Entertainment and Pleasure, and Health and Wellness.

Mobile Services 

Mobile services are undeniably a trend in today’s society wherein travel restrictions have

been implemented. People are more inclined to accomplish their tasks online because it is more

convenient, thus, they mostly prefer having their other transactions done through the internet. 

For  Company 1, “I wanted to invest in a car service that will pick up and drop off

customers to other tourist spots”.  While Company 2 shared an innovative idea stating that,

43
“Food trucks, I think as these things have come it is also good to have a business that is mobile.

Having a food truck means you can go directly to your customers (places).” 

From the comments of the participants, it can be deduced that one factor in selecting an

alternative business is to consider the needs and preferences of the consumers. Forecasting is an

essential tool to identity if a certain business can survive in a competitive market and unstable

environment.

When businesses were ordered closed and social distancing requirements went into effect

amid the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurants were among the hardest hit. But not all food service

businesses were affected equally, mobile services by their very nature have more flexibility to

continue to operate. The Internet’s effects on tourism behavior from 2007 to 2012, the

information source most frequently used when making travel plans was the Internet. Tourists

most frequently obtained information, in descending order, from online travel agency websites,

followed by supplier sites, search engines, and websites that promote destinations. (Xiang et al.

2014)

Entertainment and Pleasure 

Amidst the hustle and bustle of people and their jobs, they tend to look for relaxation and

fun to ease their stress in life. Businesses offering these kinds of services are still relevant

nowadays mainly because of the boredom and mundane daily tasks each individual experiences. 

As shared by Company 3, ”we’d  like to add entertainment to attract more customers

like the band. Good live music entices customers and stays longer. It also entices potential

walking by, and they won’t recognize their waiting time.” And for Company 4 "souvenirs, more

activities and variety of foods". While Company 10 said that "event management because I have

a set of skills in event planning."

44
 The responses of the participants show that they consider various ways of offering

entertainment and pleasure to their customers depending on their capacity, interests, and skills.

Moreover, the current situation right now urged them to look for activities wherein they could

immerse themselves and innovate products and services intended for their prospective customers.

To re-start, tourism companies are re-designing experiences (e.g., winery experiences,

museum visits, tours, sports events, in-room dining and entertainment instead of hotel facilities)

to feature smaller groups of tourists, outdoor activities and/or private experiences complying

with social distancing and gathering restrictions and expectations of travelers (Marianna, 2020).

Accommodation

People in a globalized society ought to go from one location to another to attend to their

own affairs. Thus, lodging plays a significant role for these customers by providing rooms,

facilities, and other inclusions in a particular package. Additionally, people seek comfort in

various types of lodging to take a break from their monotonous daily routine. 

According to Company 1, "aside from owning a resto bar, I see investing in a bed and

breakfast option to add on my business for people who just wanted to relax and unwind".

This implies that despite the rapid changes of the pandemic to the accommodation sector,

some businessmen still think that it is still relevant. Furthermore, relaxation and comfort are one

of the top services that enterprises consider to remain relevant in the tourism market.

Emergent tourists are not solely interested in  visiting  places,  buying  keepsakes,  taking 

selfies  or pictures  of local attractions and eating tourist food, but instead these tourists want to

experience the life of local  residents by  blending with  their entire  way of  living (Camillo  et

al,  2015). These trends have resulted in increasing forms of cooperation in the hospitality

45
industry, particularly among small entrepreneurs (Vlahov,  2014).

Provision of a unique personalized service which will provide tourists with a particular

experience and a high level of satisfaction will most definitely ensure the return of tourists to the

tourism destination and the accommodation facility. (Floricic, 2017)

Health and Wellness

The anxieties and concerns prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic have undeniably

affected most people's holistic well-being. Hence, products and services related to health and

wellness are in increasing demand these days. People seek out tranquil areas that provide healing

therapies, and activities that will relax their mind, body, and soul in order to alleviate the tension

that has built up in their minds and bodies.

Like what Company 5 has stated, "As mentioned earlier the aspect that I believe in this

tourism industry will be expanding on the development of holistic wellbeing of the people

especially recovering from pandemic hotel and restaurants that can offer services with health

and wellness".

It could be inferred that health and wellness businesses might be in demand for the

coming years due to the anxiety caused by the pandemic. People would tend to seek for places

and activities that will ease their exhaustion and worries.

The changing demand, the evolution of tourists’ need for wellness has brought about an

evolution and expansion of the concept, compared to the traditional perspective. In fact, tourists

who are seeking well-being and quality of life (Sirgy, 2019) are also looking for destinations that

will satisfy their need for wellness in various and diverse arenas, from the physical to the psychic

and from the spiritual to the cultural. (Dini-Pencarelli, 2021) Wellness tourism and the

components of its offer system: a holistic perspective.  

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 CHAPTER IV

SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This chapter of the research presents the investigation by putting the highlights of the

significant findings of the study. This part meticulously presents the answers to the specific

questions under investigation.

Summary 

This phenomenological study analyzed the lived experiences of tourism practitioners on

the social issues and concerns affecting the tourism industry during the pandemic. Specifically, it

assessed how social issues and concerns affect the tourism industry amid the COVID-19

pandemic. 

47
Findings

From the data gathered in the investigation, the following significant findings are hereby

presented:

1. Social issues and concerns affected the tourism industry by closure of businesses, income

loss, customer attrition, and unemployment.

2. Coping mechanisms employed by the tourism practitioners were resources reduction and

promotional strategies.

3. The opportunities tourism practitioners consider in other fields of the industry are

accommodation, mobile services, entertainment and pleasure, and health and wellness.

Conclusion

Based on the significant findings of the investigation, the following conclusions are

drawn, and are hereby presented:

1. Social issues and concerns are significant contributors to the difficulties that business

operations encounter. Not only does this have an impact on the business, but it also has

an effect on employees' economic security.

2. Marketing strategies and disaster risk reduction management are essential tools in

operating a business as a coping mechanism in an ever-changing environment.

3. The tourism industry provides a diverse range of opportunities for practitioners to employ

their various skills. Further, most tourism practitioners are adaptive, innovative, and

flexible in business operations.

48
 

Recommendations

Based on the conclusion drawn from the significant findings of the study, the following

recommendations are hereby offered:

1. The tourism practitioners should be open in immersing themselves into other fields since

the tourism industry offers a wide range of opportunities.

2. Business owners should continue to develop strategies and systems that they would

employ in their establishments and could be adapted by others.

3. Local Government Units should support these local businesses by implementing

ordinances addressing the COVID-19 situation, allowing enterprises to accommodate

tourists.

4. Instructors under the tourism program in colleges/universities should help broaden the

perspective of their students in deciding a profession in their future.

5. Tourism practitioners and students should consider the career path model in their

decision-making process to analyze the threats and opportunities in the tourism industry

amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

6. More research should be carried out with the support of academia to see the indirect

effects of the outbreak of the pandemic in the tourism industry.

49
  

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economies-a

54
 APPENDIX A
Saint Louis College
City of San Fernando, La Union
College of Commerce, Secretarial and Accountancy

November 6, 2021
Dear Respondents:
Louisian Greetings!
We are the Tourism Management students of Saint Louis College who are enrolled in Research
in Tourism (TPC 10). Presently, we are conducting a study entitled “Social Issues and
Concerns: Implication to the Tourism Industry during the COVID-19 Pandemic”.
In this regard, we are asking for your precious time and effort to answer all the interview
questions that are important and helpful for the completion of the study.
Rest assured that all data gathered from you will be kept in the highest level of confidentiality.
Your positive response in this request will be valuable contribution for the success of the study
and will be highly appreciated.
Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Respectfully yours,
Febe Roanne DV. Muñoz
Camela Jasmin B. Manzano
Angeleen P. Villanueva
Carla Natasha H. Peralta
Jessa Mae Galao
Crystal Jade Andaya
Researchers

Noted by:
Mrs. Remelyn C. Liclican, MBA
Research Adviser

55
 APPENDIX B

INTERVIEW GUIDE DEVELOPMENT

Concept Layer Definition Reference A Priori Codes Interview Questions

of Human
Experience
Social Issues The business world today Rahman, M. K., Gazi, M. A. ...provide views and 1. How do social issues
and Concerns is directly or indirectly I., Bhuiyan, M. A., & notions regarding and concerns affect
impacted by different Rahaman, M. A. (2021). social issues and the tourism industry
external factors such as Effect of Covid-19 pandemic concerns which affect during the pandemic?
financial, sociocultural, on tourist travel risk and tourism practitioners’
global, political, and management perceptions. lives, perceptions, and
technological. The PLOS ONE, 16(9), environment.
changes in these factors e0256486.
lead to a change in https://doi.org/10.1371/journ
business performance in al.pone.0256486
industry in the region-
specific or worldwide. The
world is aware of the
Covid-19 pandemic and its
social outcomes remain
ambiguous.

Coping The tourism hospitality Abbas, J. et al. (2021, ...indicate the coping 2. How do you cope
Mechanism sectors need to adhere to November 1). Exploring the mechanism of tourism with these issues and
transformations, such as impact of COVID-19 on practitioners toward concerns?
boosting the domestic tourism: transformational their work environment
market. Also, the potential and implications amidst the social issues
feasibility of such a for a sustainable recovery of and concerns.

56
 strategy by taking into
account of cooperative
resilience management and
increasing social values
among tourism key players
throughout the pandemic.
Opportunities Nowadays, a crisis implies
that a turning point has
been reached giving rise to
the opportunity to institute
varying degrees of change
that may allow us to move
away from the original
trajectory and escape some
of the problems associated
with this
the travel and leisure
industry. ScienceDirect.
https://www.sciencedirect.co
m/science/article/pii/S26665
18221000206
Ioannides, D., & Gyimóthy, …provide opportunities 3. What opportunities do
S. (2020). The COVID-19 in other fields or you consider in other
crisis as an opportunity for alternative employment fields of tourism
escaping the unsustainable within the tourism industry?
global tourism path. Tourism industry.
Geographies, 22(3), 624–
632.
https://doi.org/10.1080/1461
6688.2020.1763445
APPENDIX C
TRANSCRIPTION
57
 Interview Respondent Responses Categories Themes
Questions
1. How do Effects of Social Issues
social issues Company 1 Because of the pandemic, the government All business and Concerns
and concerns enforced lockdowns. Due to that, everyone was establishments, land,
affect the forced to stay at home. All business and sea transportation,
tourism establishments, land, and sea transportation, and and even government Closure of Businesses
industry even government offices are closed. This caused offices are closed.
during the the tourism industry to be put on halt and (C1)
pandemic? sources of income for those that rely on tourists
This caused the Income loss
have to suffer.
tourism industry to be
As a business owner of a resto bar, I rely on put on halt and
tourism for income. When lockdowns were sources of income for Customer Attrition
enforced, no one came to the bar. With that, I those that rely on
believe I will use up my savings and let go of tourists have to suffer.
some employees to keep my business up float. (C1) Unemployment

It will take a lot of time for business to recover, When lockdowns

especially the ones that are in the tourism were enforced, no one
industry. There are a lot of people who lost their came to the bar (C1)
jobs due to the pandemic and before they can
even go for vacations. They need to secure jobs There are a lot of
and provide for their family first. people who lost their
jobs due to the
pandemic and before
they can even go for
vacations. (C1)

Company 2 The social issues and concerns we have less customers (C2)
encountered during the pandemic are curfew and
lockdown restrictions like liquor ban, limited low income. (C2)

58
 capacity, limited operational hours. It has
affected us by getting less customers and also
low income. We are hopeful that one day,
everything will go back to normal but also the
pandemic taught us to be more careful and also
more diverse on how to handle this current
situation.

Company 3 During the outbreak the government lesser tourists and

implemented curfew and guidelines for dine-in locals (C3)
customers such as two people per table and 11
pm curfew and so on which impacted on our
profits and first bigger customer on late hours. lesser profits (C3)
(In our business) lesser tourists and locals lesser
profits. Minsan breaks even lang or shorter pa.
Company 4 Takot lumabas ang mga tao especially last year. Walang turista, locals
Walang turista, locals lang customers namin. Sa lang customers namin.
ngayon mas dumamami ang mga tao dahil (C4)
nakakapasok sa boarder, sana magtuloy tuloy.

Company 5 With the limited movement of the people due to A considerable

community restrictions some businesses number of people
establishment particularly tourism related have lost their jobs
activities are affected. A considerable number of that affect their
people have lost their jobs that affect their economic activities
economic activities, especially their time to (C5)
unwind, pushing their belts to be more on their
needs rather than focus more on wanting to cope income significantly
with the challenges brought by the pandemic. dropped (C5)

Working in tourism related activities particularly number of people

on the hotel and restaurant management, the going to our place

59
 income significantly dropped. With the went down (C5)
experience of other hotel and restaurant owners,
the number of people going to our place went affects profit (C5)
down. Also, the operational capacity that our
business should strictly follow affects profit. We
need to trim down the hours of staff following
the prescribed guidelines and the usual menu
and accommodation that we offer are reduced.

Company 6 During this time, the main reasons for social The closures of
issues affected their livelihood. The closures of businesses (C6)
businesses is an effect of the global pandemic,
the main reason was lack of food and salary lack of food and
income. During this time, you have to be aware salary income (C6)
and plan what is going through this difficult
time. 

Company 7 B7: Due to lack of tourists caused by social lack of tourists (C7)
issues and concerns and the loss of income. (It
affected our business in the sense that we have) loss of income (C7)
no income and we were forced to close our
business because of lack of customers/tourists. forced to close our
For us, entrepreneurs, it’s not favorable because business (C7)
if we don’t have guests/customers, we cannot
operate. lack of
customers/tourists
(C7)

Company 8 It is the other way around, the lack of tourism loss of income (C8)
caused social issues from the loss of income,
thus, increasing crime and antisocial behavior.

60
 (Our business had) no income from the inability no income (C8)
of tourists to enter La Union caused my business
to temporarily close. If the lockdown continues inability of tourists to
further, it might be more favorable to be an enter La Union (C8)
employee than an entrepreneur.

Company 9 Much like most of the country, employment - or employment - or lack

lack thereof - was one of the biggest concerns. thereof - was one of
Since we are in F&B industry, business was the biggest concerns
briefly held back. Thankfully, more people are (C9)
getting vaccinated which helps restore things
back.

Company 10 Tourism is one of the sectors most affected by closure of several

the pandemic. Unpredictable travel guidelines establishments (C10)
and restrictions, additional expenses for the
requirements (antigen/rt-pcr), and the people are unemployment (C10)
also anxious with their health and safety. These
reasons impede the movement of our tourists to few customers (C10)
travel and resulted to closure of several
establishments like hotels and restaurants.
Subsequently, the outcome of those closure is
unemployment. We had few customers, there
were no tourists and students (our primary target
market), our government had to impose
community lockdowns and travel restrictions,
and these led to cessation of our operations. The
number of COVID-19 cases would definitely
decrease if everyone is vaccinated. And maybe

61
 by 2022, we can gradually re-open our economy.

 2. How do Coping Mechanisms

you cope Company 1 For my business to cope with the situation, I had For my business to
with these to do a lot of cost cutting in terms of investing cope with the
issues and in new equipment, letting go of employees and I situation, I had to do a Resource Reduction
concerns? had to close my business on some of the days lot of cost cutting in
due to lack of customers. terms of investing in
new equipment,
I believe in my business and I believe I am Promotional Strategies
letting go of
resilient to manage and overcome this obstacle. employees and I had
to close my business
on some of the days
due to lack of
customers. (C1)

Company 2 By adding food products on our menu like “unli By adding food
wings” and also adjust our operation hours products on our menu
earlier. like “unli wings” and
also adjust our
Lockdowns, liquor ban, and curfew (affected our operation hours
business). Yes (we will withstand these), earlier.(C2)
because we have learned to adapt and adjust to
the current situation and we have understood
that at these times, adoption and adjustment are
a must.

Company 3 We post a lot on social media to attract We post a lot on

customers. Being in the food industry also we social media to attract
need to wear masks and be fully vaccinated.

62
 (Because of MGCQ, ECQ and a like the customers. (C3)
government lifted liquor ban. May mga guest na
gusto uminom but we don’t allow them maski
sana kita na yon. During this time dumami mga
guest na tumatangkilik sa amin. Yes, I believe
we will withstand these.

Company 4 Cost cutting without compromising the quality Cost cutting without
of our products. Nagbawas ng tao at mga gamit. compromising the
Quarantine status na pabago-bago, main problem quality of our
is now the government addresses the issue. products. (C4)

Nagbawas ng tao, at
mga gamit. (C4)
Company 5 Managing the people is hard these days, The best way is to be
especially their limits affecting their salary and more innovative like
eventually bringing more to the family. The best offering generous
way is to be more innovative like offering services and also
generous services and also addressing the addressing the
concerns of hotel and restaurant staff that this concerns. (C5)
too shall pass.

Eventually income is
Eventually income is a major concern and if this a major concern and if
challenge we have to cut some of the staff hours this challenge we have
and the usual number of offerings we have. to cut some of the
Some of the facilities were not even used to their staff hours and the
potential due to limited people coming. However usual number of
we are very positive that this is just an effect and offerings we have.
eventually it will transition to better with the (C5)

63
 vaccination going and some of the people badly
need some place to refresh their minds. We have
reached out through them by offering more We have reached out
services that will enhance their well being. through them by
offering more services
that will enhance their
well being. (C5)
Company 6 Selling different kinds of food just to have an Selling different kinds
income. of food just to have an
income. (C6)

Company 7 Drastic lifestyle changes. (We encountered) Drastic Lifestyle

many problems, especially the lack of tourists changes (C7)
coming here in La Union.

Company 8 B8. Cost cutting and drastic lifestyle changes. Cost cutting and
The tourists are few and most cannot come to La drastic lifestyle
Union, it is still surviving but further in the changes.(C8)
future, I cannot tell.

Company 9 To the best of my ability, I let go of some of our To the best of my

employees. Yes, I believe that we will be able to ability, I let go of
overcome this. some of our
employees. (C8)

Company 10 By being resourceful, patient, optimistic, and by By being resourceful,

thinking of alternative ways to make a living. patient, optimistic,
Retrenchment of employees, keeping everyone and by thinking of
healthy and safe, and money management. I alternative ways to
opted to cease our operations to minimize make a living. (C10)

64
 overhead expenses and to avert bankruptcy.
Retrenchment of
employees, keeping
everyone healthy and
safe, and money
management. I opted
to cease our
operations to
minimize overhead
expenses and to avert
bankruptcy. (C10)
3. What Company 1 Aside from owning a resto bar, I see investing in Aside from owning a Other opportunities
opportunities a bed and breakfast option to add on my resto bar, I see within the Tourism
do you business for people who just wanted to relax and investing in a bed and Industry
consider in unwind. I also wanted to invest in a car service breakfast option to
other fields that will pick up and drop off customers to other add on my business
of the tourist spots. for people who just Accommodation
tourism wanted to relax and
industry? I myself love to relax and escape the hustle of unwind. I also wanted
city life. From the sea and warmth of the sun to invest in a car Mobile services
relaxes me and for sure there are a lot of people service that will pick
like me. So yes, I plan to keep and expand my up and drop off
business customers to other
Entertainment &
tourist spots. (C1)
Pleasure

Company 2 Food Trucks. I think as these things have come it Food Trucks. I think
Health and wellness
is also good to have a business that is mobile. as these things have
Having a food truck means you can go directly come it is also good to
to your customers (places). have a business that is
mobile. Having a food
truck means you can

65
 go directly to your
customers (places).
(C2)
Company 3 Presently we have food and beverages. We’d Good live music
like to add entertainment to attract more entices customers and
customers like the band.Good live music entices stays longer. It also
customers and stays longer. It also entices entices potential
potential walking by. And, they won’t recognize walking by. And, they
their waiting time. won’t recognize their
waiting time. (C3)

Company 4 Souvenirs, more activities and variety of foods. Souvenirs, more

activities and variety
of foods. (C4)
Company 5 As mentioned earlier the aspect that I believe in expanding on the
this tourism industry will be expanding on the development of
development of holistic wellbeing of the people holistic wellbeing of
especially recovering from pandemic hotel and the people (C5)
restaurant that can offer services with health and
wellness promo or kicking off on something that
can provide more leisure and fun for family offer services with
health and wellness
The usual offerings for food and accomodation (C5)
are present in this industry. Since more people
suffer from mental illness and a great deal of
stress and anxiety these days, health and
wellness can be an added feature other than the
physical activities, mind games board, creative health and wellness
stuff can be offered not only to parents but also can be an added
to kids who are affected by the restrictions and feature other than the
movement. physical activities,

66
 mind games board,
creative stuff. (C5)
Company 6 Save establishment was reopened and as of this
moment we’re very thankful because we have to
work. I do because this is my passion and I’m
willing to take risks just to pursue it.

Company 7 Nothing, because as of now, we still have cases

in our country and it’s not safe for everyone. I
don’t have (plans to pursue other fields in
tourism) yet.

Company 8 I don’t think pursuing the tourism industry is

safe for now. I have no plans yet (to pursue any
related career in the tourism industry).

Company 9 Nothing
Company 10 Event Management. Because I have a set of Event Management.
skills in event planning. However, I have no Because I have a set
plans in pursuing that field. of skills in event
planning. However, I
have no plans in
pursuing that field.
(C10)

67
 CURRICULUM VITAE

Crystal Jade Andaya

Brgy. Bangaoilan East Bangar La Union
09060275773 | crystaljadeandaya31@gmail.com

Personal Details
● Date of Birth : July 31, 1999
● Marital Status: Single
● Nationality : Filipino
● Birth Place : Bangaoilan East Bangar, La Union
● Age : 21
● Religion : Roman Catholic
● Father's Name : Romeo M. Valencia Jr.
● Mother's Name : Nancy D. Andaya

Education

Saint Louise College of San Fernando La Union Tertiary

Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management
2018-2022
Doña Francisca Lacsaman De Ortega Memorial National High School Secondary
Junior High School-Senior High
School
2012-2018
Bangaoilan Elementary School Primary

2006-2012

68
 Jessa Mae Galao
Zone 3, Brgy. Patpata Primero, Candon City, Ilocos Sur
09618994013 | jessamaegalao12@gmail.com

Personal Details
● Date of Birth : April 06,2000
● Marital Status: Single
● Nationality : Filipino
● Birth Place : Candon City, Ilocos Sur
● Age : 21
● Religion : Roman Catholic
● Father's Name :
● Mother's Name : Imelda G. Galao

Education

Saint Louise College of San Fernando La Union Tertiary

Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management
2018-2022
Candon City Information Technology National High School Secondary
Junior High School-Senior High
School
2012-2018
Patpata Elementary School Primary

2006-2012

69
 Camela Jasmin B. Manzano
#110 Baroro Bacnotan La Union
+639452150885 | camelajasmin@gmail.com

Personal Details
● Date of Birth : Febraury 8, ,2000
● Marital Status: Single
● Nationality : Filipino
● Birth Place : San Fernando, La Union
● Age : 21
● Religion : Roman Catholic
● Father's Name : Joey Manzano
● Mother's Name :Maricelle Manzano

Education

Saint Louise College of San Fernando La Union Tertiary

Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management
2018-2022
Saint Louis College of San Fernado La Union Secondary
Junior High School-Senior High
School
2012-2018
Baroro Elementary School Primary

2006-2012

70
 Febe Roanne DV. Muñoz
Brgy. Bolingit San Carlos City, Pangasinan
09156856976 | munozfeberoanne@gmail.com

Personal Details
● Date of Birth : February 7, 2000
● Marital Status: Single
● Nationality : Filipino
● Birth Place : San Carlos City, Pangasinan
● Age : 21
● Religion : Christian
● Father's Name : Roel D. Muñoz
● Mother's Name : Angelita DV. Muñoz

Education

Saint Louise College of San Fernando La Union Tertiary

Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management
2018-2022
Saint Charles Academy Secondary
Junior High School-Senior High
School
2012-2018
Rainbow School Primary

2006-2012

71
 Carla Natasha H. Peralta
Brgy. Namtutan, City of San Fernando, La Union
09053346047 | kyerlanatasha@gmail.com

Personal Details
● Date of Birth : October 28, 2000
● Marital Status: Single
● Nationality : Filipino
● Birth Place : City of San Fernando, La Union
● Age : 21
● Religion : Roman Catholic
● Father's Name : Victor Peralta
● Mother's Name : Yolly Peralta

Education

Saint Louise College of San Fernando La Union Tertiary

Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management
2018-2022
La Union National High School Secondary
Junior High School-Senior High
School
2012-2018
Dallangayan Community School Primary

2006-2012

72
 Angeleen P. Villanueva
157 Purok Lorma Urbiztondo San Juan La Union
09665437327 | aangeleen26@gmail.com

Personal Details
● Date of Birth : February 26, 1999
● Marital Status: Single
● Nationality : Filipino
● Birth Place : City of San Fernando, La Union
● Age : 22
● Religion : Roman Catholic
● Father's Name : Eleazer Buenaventura Villanueva Jr
● Mother's Name : Ma. Aprily Palaroan Villanueva

Education

Saint Louise College of San Fernando La Union Tertiary

Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management
2018-2022
Saint Louis College of San Fernando La Union Secondary
Junior High School-Senior High
School
2012-2018
Christ the King College Primary

2006-2012

73