Abstract

This study evaluated the resource protection strategies in Bulusan Volcano Natural Park towards ensuring sustainable ecotourism and protected area conservation. Using quantitative method of research, it is clearly noted that strategies on social and environmental conservation is effective and more given emphasis as it adheres to AGAP Bulusan’s mission to protect and conserve the environment while at the same time fostering social and economic development. In the same manner with the physical or behavioral conservation strategies which also recognized effective mechanism in managing visitors’ use. However, the cultural preservation were evaluated very low as most of the respondents disagreed that the strategies for this aspect are manifested in the actions and activities of the host community. Therefore, conservation efforts should also give more attention to strategies on cultural preservation as one of the dimensions of sustainable ecotourism development within every protected area. Also, recognizing that findings of this paper is deemed relevant and useful for natural park administrators and ecotourism destination operators as it provides new insights on the effectiveness of resource protection strategies and suggests future policy actions to ensure sustainability.

Keywords: conservation, ecotourism, Natural Park, protected area, resource protection strategies