The Positive Aspects of Baguio's Dark Tourism

Understanding the Effects of the City

Stakeholders

MANUEBO, MARIEL M. ([email protected])

Abstract: Dark Tourism in Baguio City has been gaining a lot of attention from those who seek
the grim and haunted. Tourists are fond of the ghost stories and the paranormal activities that
have been told about certain sites while locals are engaged to dreaded stimulation experiences
without knowing the shadowed past behind it. The purpose of this study is to gather data on
how dark tourism sites, as a `pull' factor to tourists, have impacted Baguio City as a whole;
including the municipality, the people under its governance, and it's out-turn to the lives of the
residents. Researchers have yet to investigate how to deal with the growing number of tourists
visiting the locality, and apprehend the variables stated in this research. The design used for
this study is descriptive, quantitative research. Non-probability, convenience sampling was used
since this is the rational choice for cases where identifying all members of a population is
impossible (De Vos, 1998). Questionnaires were distributed to residents aged twenty (20) years
old and above. The respondents were ninety (90) residents who are staying nearby dark tourism
sites, having their perceptions about the impacts of dark tourism in the area. Based on the
findings, residents perceived the benefits of dark tourism in Baguio city as highly beneficial. It
also concludes that Baguio city residents experience positive outcomes from tourism. Keywords
| Dark tourism, thanatourism, ghost tourism, Baguio City, Tourism Impacts, Community
1. Introduction people are enthusiastic about the
circulating infamous stories,
Tourism is often assumed in primarily about apparitions,
the name of historical awareness paranormal activities and petrifying
and social justice because tragedies myths that passed around by the
or historical noteworthy deaths have power of tongue; originating from the
occurred in places that continue Baguio residents themselves.
impacting people's lives. This type of Examples of the sites known for
tourism is Dark tourism, also known paranormalsightings include:
as grief tourism or thanatourism, Diplomat Hotel, Calle Vallejo,
which means travelling to places Laperal White House, Camp John
with actual occurrence of death, Hay and Teacher's Camp. Tourism
violence or disaster (Seaton, 1996). has proven its economic benefits to
These places associated with the city, however, residents tend to
disasters or tragedies have become object when tourists and tourism
not only places of remembrance, but activities have both negative effects
also sites and attractions where dark toward them and the community. For
tourism `drivers' relish, and arouse example, an increasing number of
negative emotions embedding visitors causes traffic congestion and
sympathy, fear, depression, waste problems. In contrast, for the
empathy, sadness and feelings of sake of social, cultural, economic
revenge (Topsakal, 2014). Examples and environmental benefits, the
include tourism based on slavery in exchange of guarantees and
North America and the Jewish treatment between hosts and the
Holocaust in Europe while for guests should be mutually beneficial
Sabah, Malaysia and Philippines - (Lankford, 1994). This relationship
the colonial era marked by a can affect the economic and social
particularly brutal period of benefits depending on the weights of
Japanese occupation during World constructive and contrary conditions
War II (Braithwaite, 2006). of both parties (Brougham & Butler,
1981). The amount of concern
Dark tourism has been between stakeholders and tourists
gaining popularity these days and should be of parity, including the
sites which are considered eerie and feelings and opinions of the host
known for unearthly experiences are community. Despite the minor
not only marketed in the Philippines drawbacks, they are still in favor of
but abroad. Baguio City, Philippines dark tourism as a contributor to the
is one of the most popular economy.
destinations due to its numerous This paper seeks to
tourist attractions including dark determine the perceptions of the
tourism sites. Baguio is a hill station host community towards the social
city and the summer capital of the and economic impacts of dark
country (Estoque, 2012). The city tourism to the city, with emphasis on
has long been associated with how a populace reacts to the effects
tourism, sustaining its image as a of dark tourism. The study assesses
preferred destination, either for rest the benefits and costs of dark
and recreation, study or work. Many tourism in Baguio City. This research
aims to know if there are significant According to Homans (1974), a
differences in the residents' person tends to perform more of
perceptions. Thereafter, an his/her action if it is more often
intervention program is proposed. rewarded than another action.
The Social Exchange theory Social exchange theory's
is the one most widely used by key dimensions which are personal
scholars that seeks to understand perceived the costs and benefits,
and examine the host's perceptions enabling residents to evaluate the
toward sustainable tourism. It is an socio-cultural, environmental, and
essential tool since sustainable economic impacts of tourism from
tourism contemplates on the both positive and negative angles. In
residents' satisfaction as the basis addition, Gursoy and Rutherhood
for development. According to App (2004) and Nunkoo and Ramkisson
(1992), this theory is concerned with (2011, p. 176) conclude of the
comprehending the exchange of tendency of the residents in
different resources between supporting tourism development if
identities and groups in a specific they perceive more benefits than
interaction situation. The costs. Needs satisfaction, exchange
researchers have adopted this relation and consequences of
framework in analyzing the exchange are key components of
significant relationship between the social exchange process model
benefits and residents' attitude as shown in Figure 1. The exchange
toward tourism. From a tourism process includes tangible and
perspective, this theory suggests: intangible exchanges.
when an exchange of resources
(express in terms of power) between
residents and tourism is balanced, or
high for the host actor in an
unbalanced relation, tourism impacts
are viewed positively by residents.
When an exchange of resources is
low in either balanced or unbalanced
exchange relations, the impacts are
viewed negatively. This explains the
reasons on why residents are in
favor or not, of tourism activities in
their community.
This theory also allows the The development of individual
residents examine the benefits and attitudes and perceptions toward tourism
costs in a tourism manner, if their may successfully be studied by examining
assessment is positive, their attitude Social Representation theory. As Pearce,
towards the industry will also be Moscardo and Ross (1996) stated:
positive. Therefore, residents who
perceive more benefits than its costs Social representation theory is
are likely to support the exchange concerned with describing and
(King et al., 1993) and are likely to understanding how and what people think in
be involved in the exchanges. their ongoing everyday experiences and
how a wider social reality influences these three causal dimensions (stability, locus and
thoughts. They can be seen as metasystem control) and placed them in a model
which include values, benefits and illustrating the attributional model. Stability
common-sense explanation of how the shows whether the perception changes;
world operates. Social representation can locus shows if the perception is based on
also be seen as incorporating the stock of internal or external cues; while control
common knowledge. highlights an individual's perception of
controlling an outcome (controllable or
According to Fredline and Faulkner
uncontrollable).
(2000), the social representation theory
helps people interpret and understand the 2. Literature Review
situation going around them, shared by the
2.1. Dark Tourism
members of the same society or community.
This theory explains the similarities and Dark tourism, as defined by Blom
differences within locals regarding the (2006, p. 26) is an affair of sudden mass
perceptions about tourism impacts. death which attracts the attention of a mob
Members belonging to the same cluster will and as `an attraction-focused artificial
often display the same perception of a morbidity-related tourism'. Tourists have
certain impact (Cheng & Jarvis, 2010). been interested in places where death and
suffering took place. Stone (2006) explains
On the other hand, the Attribution
due to a unique combination of respect and
theory by Pearce (1989) is useful in
reverence or morbid curiosity and
understanding how local community
superstition. In addition, humans by nature
performs their actions based on perception
have a feeling of remorse and sorrow
of outcomes. In simple terms, this theory
towards the inevitably tragic events that
explains how people use internal cues - the
happened in the past, this triggers an
perception of their environment and external
interest from tourists to participate in dark
cues - the observation of their environment
tourism. Interests to dark tourism can also
in attributing causes to outcomes of different
be attributed from the will to witness the
events that occur around them. According to
sites of death (Pelton, 2003). It is also
Fritz Heider (1896- 1988), this theory shows
suggested that death has been an element
humans strive to understand their
of tourism longer than any other form of
environment, meanwhile Harold Kelley
tourism supply, given the examples of
(1921-2003) developed three categories
religious practice or pilgrimage. Roman
that influence perception in the attribution
gladiator games were the early examples of
process: distinctiveness, consensus and
dark tourism held in the Colosseum of
consistency. Distinctiveness focuses on
Rome, where killing an opponent was used
how an individual judge a situation.
as a means of entertainment. The
Consensus concentrates on a situation
splendidly made amphi-theatre can be
where an individual judge a situation in a
considered as one of the dark tourist
social situation while consistency explains
attractions (Stone, 2006). This justies
the individual judgement of a situation over
tourists who are considered emotionally
time or after having experienced such
involved when it comes to visiting dark sites.
repeatedly. However, attribution theory
based on Bernard Weiner's (1935) study, Philip R. Stone collated definitions
suggests individuals' interpretation of events of dark tourism from different researchers
and how this is related to thinking and specically thanatourism (Seaton, 1996),
behavior as shown in Figure 2. He defined death-related tourist activity tagged as
`holidays in hell' (O'Rourke, 1988); `morbid the interpretations through media, political
tourism' (Blom, 2000); `black-spot' tourism forces and social change. The study of
(Rojeck, 1993), or as Dann (1994) explains Smith is related to the present study as it
`milking the macabre'. Essentially, despite shows the interpretation of dark tourism
the varying perspectives and terminologies sites and related to the current study of dark
used, dark tourism can be related to visits, tourism sites in Baguio. The sites which
intentional or otherwise, to purposeful / non- were specically selected for this research
purposeful sites which offer a presentation are Diplomat Hotel, Calle Vallejo, Laperal
of death or suffering as the raison d'être. White House, Camp John Hay, Teacher's
Dark tourism has typologies depending on Camp and Hyatt Ruins. These sites are
visitor's motivation and the sites, namely under the category of Ghost tourism, War
war/batteleeld tourism, disaster tourism, tourism and Disaster tourism.
prison tourism, cemetery tourism, ghost
2.2. Local Residents' Perception of Dark
tourism, and holocaust tourism(Fonseca,
Tourism
Seabra & Silva, 2016).
In 2016, Javier conducted a
In 2014, Rabontu and Vasile
research about an ethnographic evaluation
published Dark Tourism: New Form of
of local residents' perceptions about tourism
Tourism in Romania. In this book, they gave
in the preliminary phase. She cited Gursoy,
different interpretations of dark tourism.
Chi and Dyer (2009) about the
They made an elaboration about the dark
understanding and recognition of residents'
tourism sites in Romania. They noted that
attitudes and perceptions towards tourism,
dark tourism may be the perfect choice to
which is fundamental to the accomplishment
create a mature and solid tourism brand. It
and sustainability of any tourism
would be able to properly promote and
development. Many studies have examined
preserve the true historical origins of the
the residents' perceptions and attitudes as
country with concrete places and facts
well factors that affected community
about their past, while enabling to keep up
members' attitudes and perceptions. She
with current trends evolving on the world`s
emphasized that locals tend to have positive
tourism scene. Because of dark tourism,
outcomes because they view tourism as an
Transylvania became a more attractive
economic development tool. Some tourism
tourist destination and Romania as the
scholars have stressed the importance of
world's birthplace of Count Dracula together
understanding local residents' opinions
with the myth that surrounds him.
towards tourism and the factors that
The study of Rabontu and Vasile is influenced their reactions.
related to the present study in relation to
Javier's research has bearing to the
dark tourism. The book laid out places that
present study since perception was used as
are considered dark tourism sites together
a term implying how the residents view dark
with their history. In 2002, Smith published a
tourism or their knowledge about dark
book about dark tourism detailing the issues
tourism, or without having prior tourism
about politics, sociology, and current
experience.
technologies which are just as important in
creating dark tourism sites like the events In 2014, Wright's study about
that occurred at the sites themselves. The residents' perceptions of dark tourism
book examines several sites, including how development in L'Aquila, Italy, revealed the
they have been interpreted and presented existing range of emotional reactions toward
to tourists as well how history has shaped `dark' tourists among the local community.
During the initial period following the their study indicated that a negative
disaster, tourists were frequently seen with relationship between the perception on the
frustration and annoyance and based in impact of tourism in material life domain and
many interviews, residents expressed their material life satisfaction. If stakeholders
displeasure towards tourists who were think that the tourism greatly affects their
coming, taking photos and showing material life domain, than they really are not
disrespect to them. Moreover, many satisfied. In addition, residents' satisfaction
residents revealed negative attitudes toward with life domains positively affects their
dark tourism. Local community did not overall life quality; it seems that if they are
support the idea of relating dark tourism to satisfied with their material and non-material
L' Aquila. However, as time passes by, local life, they are likely to be satisfied in life, in
communities' animosity towards tourists general.
began to mellow and creating less strain on
The study of Uysal et al. is relevant
the individuals. Indeed, local community
to this study because it explains how
revealed more willing and open attitudes
satisfaction from different stakeholders in
toward tourists primarily, as result of factors
dark tourism sites of Baguio City affects
such as lack of media attention, incorrect
their perception about the impacts of dark
media reports or lies. The study of Wright
tourism. It shows that there is significant
has bearing to the present study because
relationship between residents perceived
residents of dark tourism sites in Baguio
impacts and satisfaction of dark tourism.
City has emotional reactions toward `dark'
tourists. During the initial period following A study by Besculides and
the disaster, they felt disrespected by the McCormick (2002) discusses the ideas
tourists who kept on capturing photos and regarding types of cultural benefits which
visiting the site while they were suffering by communities can realize, as well as the
frustration. As time goes by, residents tend original proposition that tourism promotes
to move on and help tourists by giving numerous cultural benefits. Job creation is
reliable information about the sites. obviously an important by product, but
Because of emotional reactions from the residents also see tourism as a means of
local community, it created social impacts helping them learn about, share and
with the locals and the tourists. preserve their culture. This tells those who
manage it that the host sees the importance
In 2013, Uysal et al. proposed a
of the local community associations as way
model about the relationship among three
to improve economic conditions in the area
constructs which are perception on the
and this is not their only concern. Residents
impacts of tourism on life domain
identified other positive cultural benefits,
satisfaction, the effects of satisfaction with
from managing the area to enhance and
life domain on overall quality of life, and the
preserve- such as preserving traditional
moderating effect of stakeholder types on
folklore and helping locals learn more about
the relationship between perception of the
the Hispanic culture. This study shows the
impacts of tourism in life domains and
perceptions of the residents about the
satisfaction with life domains. They
cultural benefits of tourism to their
developed and tested the five constructs.
community as well as the positive and
The five constructs were perception on the
negative impacts.
impacts of tourism in material domain of life,
satisfaction with domain of non-material life In 1992, Ap's study about residents'
and overall quality of life. The findings of perceptions on tourism impacts, suggests
through social exchange theory, that the stakeholders. A clear understanding of the
host actor will perceive tourism positively attitudes and interests of the host
when the consequences of exchange community is a necessary precursor to the
provide a reinforcing experience, and host planning and management of sustainable
actor will perceive tourism negatively when tourism.
the consequences of exchange provide an
2.3. Host Community's Awareness of
unrewarding or unfavorable exchange
Dark Tourism
experience. Ap's study has bearing because
social exchange theory shows the Many are not familiar with the
relationship between the residents' concept of dark tourism but are interested
perceptions of economic benefits, economic visiting the said places even though they
cost, social benefits, social cost, cultural are not familiar with it. The concept is often
benefits and cultural cost. Therefore, the mistaken as heritage tourism but it is an
perception of residents about dark tourism independent branch of tourism that may
in Baguio City would be more positive, if it is seem alike but having different notions.
more beneficial to them. Baguio City was first categorized as a
heritage tourism destination, a site of great
Light (2017) published an article
historical events and currently establishing
about progress in dark tourism and
its name for a new form of tourism. Most
thanatourism research. He stated that local
respondents were locals yet they were not
communities as stakeholders, are not
familiar to this concept. The researchers
receiving proper attention. Hence, the
aimed to find out if the locals of Baguio City
research presented the ways in which local
are having the awareness about dark
communities are impacted by, together with
tourism and its benefits. In the survey, few
their response in becoming the focus of
have answered the appropriate definitions
touristic interest with reference to death and
of dark tourism and have a meaningful
tragedy. He stated that local communities
reason to visit this site. Based on the
are worried about presenting dark tourism
results, 23% said they want to understand
sites in a relevant manner that balances
what happened in the past, a reason to visit
education and remembrance with the needs
this site - to know, learn and connect with
of visitors. He also emphasized in his article
the past. The study is also aimed on
that local communities who may be spiteful
establishing the relationship of residents to
about becoming the center of attention or
the place. 23% wants to understand,
may have their own plans about how a dark
assuming the locals of Baguio City who
past is offered and illustrated to visitors. The
either have awareness or without about
article of Light is relevant to this study due
dark tourism, they are willing to know and
to limited attention given to the residents
understand their home town thus, building a
living nearby dark tourism sites. There are a
connection with the people and the place.
number of studies focusing from the tourist
perspectives, but not about local In 2017, Tanti published a blog
communities. Their role in tourism is very about the ethics, benefits and problems of
important since they are one of the reasons dark tourism. He stated that dark tourism
why tourists go to such places. When dark allows death to be brought back to life.
tourism sites do become famous, one must However, due to the nature of dark tourism,
take into consideration the opinion of those sites have a very thin gap between
stakeholders. Therefore, there must be exquisite and indecent. Some people see
balance and understanding between dark tourism as an opportunity for
education, while others find it offensive. He home-stays. Besides economic benefits that
gave Cambodia as an example of one of the local people get, there are also problems
most popular dark tourism sites in the world. affecting urban areas, like, not necessarily
The country uses its horric past and loss of access to natural resources, but
massacre sites as tourism destinations in increased vulnerability to natural disasters
order to generate income. Most of the such as landslides. There are also problems
residents of Cambodia believed that besides the positive effects of tourism.
museums and monuments of people who Baguio is now in demand, not just because
were involved in massacres are important of the cool climate but also its dark tourism
ways of preserving the history and heritage sites which are becoming popular. As a
of the country. They believed that without result, some residents have been earning
tourists' money, government would be less converting their personal properties for
willing to fund in keeping up or upgrading tourist purpose, for example, renting their
those areas. Hence, the memories that are houses for short-term accommodation.
within those sites would cease to exist. There is also an increase in environmental
Those sites are considered for income vulnerability due to tourism-related
generation, which provide employment and construction activities and inadequate urban
a means of earnings for the residents. The planning issues.
study of Tanti explains improvements in
Japan Travel News (2015) reported
dark tourism areas would benefit all parties,
an article about dark tourism sites in Japan
both locals and tourists. However, the
which are slowly gaining industry attention.
educational value that the site offers to
There are many places in Japan considered
tourists is perhaps the largest benefit of
as dark tourism sites caused by incidents
making the sites accessible to the public.
such as World Wars I and II, plus since the
The ultimate goal of dark tourism sites is to
country is a natural disaster-prone thus,
raise awareness about the horric past and
affected places of the said events are
help prevent future massacres by raising
usually classified as dark tourism sites.
educational awareness. On the other hand,
These places have witnessed an increasing
a great focus about dark tourism can also
trend where visitors see less conventional
be seen negatively. Residents that have
sites to gain a different insight into Japan's
deeper connection to the site feel that
history. Japan and natural disasters have
tourists are commodifying their sacred
already been there for so long. Disasters
areas.
such as the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear
2.4. Economic norm Power Station accident that is also
becoming a site for dark tourism. Dark
Shah and Gupta (2000) recognized
tourism is a new and exciting way for young
the beneficial impact of tourism on the local
people to enjoy travelling. Though some
population. Because of tourism, jobs such
may have the macabre feeling about these
as carpenters, shop assistants, construction
sites, others like visiting these places
workers, laborers and security guards
because travel is a way to better understand
readily became available and these new
its culture and history. Professor Ide
sources of income has really improved the
believes that the essence of dark tourism is
community's standard of living. They
to open the people's eyes and help them
emphasized that economic impact to local
participate in the horrid tragedy that was
people are dependent on their critical
part of the past so that we may not totally
participation in the industry. As tourism
forget it.
grows, lodges and hotels begin to replace
 The article mainly focuses on the consumption of goods and services, and
thought that though there are many accordingly provides a direct and indirect
negative feedbacks about dark tourism, it is impact on employment and entrepreneurial
still acknowledged by Japan because the opportunities. The World Tourism
country believes that it has a great Organization (UNWTO) indicates that
contribution to the country's economy and countries with a firmly established tourism
the people. The perception of people industry, the accommodation sector
towards dark tourism is the basis of their provides around two to five percent of the
travel to know and understand the history country's overall employment. In these
and culture in order to truly understand the countries, the overall tourism sector could
place by experiencing it. generate five to eight per cent of direct
employment. It is well recognized that
Biran and Hyde (2013) introduced
increased income through employment
dark tourism in a new way, namely on a
opportunities can solve some social
demand-side, supply-side, and integrated
problems. Tourism has caused local
demand-and-supply side perspective. The
farmers to abandon their elds and rent
research presents tourist experiences at
rooms to tourists. Occupational
dark spots, management of dark spots,
transformation also affected local residents
ethical issues in profit making and the
who had to travel to get some services that
contributions of indigenous people in site
were no longer available to the local
management. Their findings show the
community. In the same study, it was
contemplation of morality in our daily lives,
reported that many specialized shops such
in different ways as well as in tourism
as bookbinders, tanners and coppersmiths
praxis. The authors recognized dark tourism
converted their businesses into souvenir
as both an individual experience and a
shops. The residents of Baguio City have
complex socio-cultural phenomenon. The
become entrepreneurs by converting their
journal gave a new perspective about dark
lodging properties into short-term rental
tourism, its contribution not only to the
accommodation. Residents who have jobs
industry but also to the people who are and
transformed their properties into lodging
may benefit in the rise of dark tourism. It
businesses since it can cater to a more
also presented the tourists' experience in
handful patrons. This has resulted to a
these sites, how these sites are managed,
higher income and better economic results
the constraints and how locals contribute in
which can provide solutions to some social
managing the sites. There are many
drawbacks. Residents of Baguio have also
different dark tourism experiences,
started offering souvenirs to tourists, either
continuously increasing from time to time.
hand-made or purchased for merchandise.
Dark tourism is a great way to make profit
with new and improved tourist spots while 3. Methodology
promoting cultural and historical experience.
Burns and Grove's (2003, p.195)
The complex socio-cultural take of dark
definition of research design is a
tourism in the locality, combination of social
blueprint for conducting a study with
and cultural experience for the tourist and
maximum control over factors that may
the benefit of the indigenous people from
interfere with the validity of the findings.
dark tourism are the key points about this
According to Polit, Hungler and Beck
research.
(2001), research design is the overall
According to Pizam and Milman plan for collecting and analyzing data
(2014), tourism takes the form of including specifications for enhancing
the internal and external validity of the Questionnaires were prepared by the
study. Its main significance is to make researchers themselves; considering the
full and accurate analysis on the cause relevant and helpful information that are
and effect of the relationship between needed. It was distributed to the
independent and dependent variables selected residents. The questionnaire
and to make the ow of various research was structured in such a way for
procedures steady, thus, making the respondents to be able to answer easily.
research coherent. The design used for The survey-questionnaire was divided
this study is descriptive or quantitative into three (3) parts. The first part of the
research. questionnaire contains Socio
Demographic Prole that consists of
Non-probability or convenience
respondents' prole; and the second part
sampling was used because De Vos
was designed using Likert Scale
(1998) states that convenience sampling
questions which consists of
is the rational choice in cases where it is
respondents' level of agreement and
impossible to identify all the members of
disagreement for a series of statements.
a population. Questionnaires were
distributed to residents aged twenty (20) Data were collected to evaluate the
years old and above. Respondents were residents' knowledge and views on dark
ninety (90) residents who are staying tourism in Baguio City. The researchers
nearby or within the area of dark tourism acquired permission and cooperation
sites that might be aware of the impacts from the local barangays (districts) to
of dark tourism in the area chosen by conduct the said study. The local
the researchers. The survey used a total barangay leaders were the rst
of ninety (90) respondents in acquiring respondents to this study.
the probable result of the study. This Questionnaires were brought to the
study used convenient sampling in initial meetings for distribution and to be
which the researchers gathered data answered by the principal respondents.
within the premises only of Baguio City, Ethical issues and concerns were also
where respondents are impacted by discussed. After the permission was
dark tourism. granted, the survey was conducted. In
addition, related literatures and studies
The respondents of this study are
were considered as part of data
residents of Baguio City. These
gathering procedure as source of
respondents are one of the most
secondary data, supporting the findings
important requirements in research.
of the study.
They give the needed information in
solving the problem for a research to be 4. Results & Discussion
answered; a specific set of respondents
is required to draw out conclusion in the Perceptions of the Residents on
problem. The total number of the Benefits of Dark Tourism in
respondents were ninety (90); fifteen Baguio City in terms of:
(15) for each dark tourism site, whose
ages range from 18 and above, male Economic Benefits
and female, residents of the said area.
The assessment of residents
The survey-questionnaire instrument
to the impact of dark tourism to the
was used to achieve the main objective.
economic status of Baguio City is Social Benefits
hereby presented in Table 1.
The assessment of residents about
The residents specified their
the impact of dark tourism to the social
level of agreement and
exchange between the hosts and guests of
disagreement to the questions of the
Baguio City is presented in Table 2.
survey as Agree to which proved
that Dark Tourism contributes Many residents specified their level
positively to the economic aspect of of agreement and disagreement to the
the city which ripples down to the questions of the survey regarding the social
stakeholders and their livelihood. benefits they acquired through dark tourism,
Having obtained mean values of with the tourists in the main instrument, as
3.90, 3.90, 4.03, and 4.07, Agree. The increasing number of tourists
respectively, with an overall visiting the city became a factor to the
weighted mean of 3.98 verbally RT&D | no. 31 | 2019 | 71 willingness of the
interpreted as Agree. local government in preserving not only the
This shows, generally, that historical significance of dark tourism sites,
dark tourism, although it is only one but also to improve the public facilities for
of the many types of tourism, is a convenience of the whole city, in general.
potential business and employment Except for the developmental and
opportunity which contributes to the enhancement projects, recreational
economic state of a community. The activities exist for the sole purpose of
residents agree that dark tourism entertaining both the hosts and the guests
provides employment opportunities resulting to a positive social exchange. A
to them that serves as their main part of the sample population chose
source of income. The local Strongly Agree as their response to the
entrepreneurs consider dark tourism survey questions, proving that they have a
as a basis or theme of macro- higher belief on dark tourism being a
businesses. motivator in order to enhance the state of
According to Shapely and the city for the welfare of both tourists and
Telfer (2002), tourism is the fastest hosts; with obtained mean values of 4.27,
business industry in the world. The 4.22, 4.09, and 4.14, respectively, an overall
tourism sector creates employment weighted mean of 4.18, which is verbally
prospects and generates foreign interpreted as Agree.
exchange that are very essential for
the economic development of a This shows that dark tourism
country. It should be shaped in a becomes a driving force that encourage
way that can minimize social and locals and its government to plan
environmental costs making it in full developmental programs for the tourist sites
favor to the economic benefit of the in order to protect the sentiments and
society. satisfy the stakeholders and the people who
desire to be a part of the community.
According to Pizam (2014), social
impacts of tourism refer to the ways in
which tourism contributes to different
changes in value systems, an individual's
behaviour, family ties, lifestyles, moral
conduct and creative expressions. In other
words, they affect the people of host Perceptions of the Residents on the
communities about their direct and indirect costs of Dark Tourism in Baguio City
associations with tourists.
Social Costs

The assessment of residents about

Cultural Benefits the social costs of dark tourism in Baguio
City is presented in Table 3.
The assessment of residents about
the impact of dark tourism to the cultural The residents specified their level of
status of Baguio City is presented in Table agreement and disagreement to the
3. questions in the survey as "Agree"which
proved that the residents of Baguio City are
The residents specified their level of
affected by the social costs that dark
agreement and disagreement to the survey
tourism brings, with obtained mean values
questions as Strongly Agree which proved
of 3.80, 3.38, 4.54, and 4.38 respectively,
that dark tourism contributes to the cultural
having an overall weighted mean of 4.03
aspect of the city, with obtained mean
verbally interpreted as Agree.
values of 4.41, 4.33, and 4.23 respectively,
having an overall weighted mean of 4.32 The residents strongly agree to the
verbally interpreted as Strongly Agree. two statements in the survey which are "due
Generally, residents see dark tourism can to overcrowding, the locality is prone to tra-c
provide important cultural benefits to them congestion"and "noise and pollution will
and show greater concern for its rapidly increase as an effect of both
management in preserving the distinct crowding and tra-c congestion". Meanwhile,
cultural atmosphere. The residents strongly they agree on the price increase of products
agree that they are able to feel a strong and services available in the market where
sense of cultural identity by sharing an dark tourism activities are happening.
emblem of Baguio to tourists through However, residents slightly agree to the
historical discovery. statement, "the increase on the number of
people in the areas may result to a higher
According to the Richards (2006),
crime rate".
cultural tourism is one of the fastest, largest
global tourism markets. With culture and This states that respondents are
creative tourism, destinations are being affected fairly by the given social costs. The
promoted and competitiveness of a place is presence of dark tourism in the city of
relevantly enhanced. With this, the Baguio brought these costs affecting the
relationship of tourism and culture is residents in the aspects stated which are
highlighted as major drivers of destination verbally interpreted as Agree. Social costs
attractiveness and competitiveness. are rated differently but all turned out to a
result that residents are in the middle. They
agree that there are social costs but not
strongly experiencing it though only in some
aspects.
 According to Lankford (1994), there may change. The demonstration effect of
could be an increase in negative impacts to tourists (residents adopting tourist
the residents of the host community. Its behaviors) and the addition of tourist
development is usually justified on the basis facilities may alter customs, such as dating
of economic benefits and challenged on the habits, especially those of a more structured
grounds of social, cultural or environmental or traditional culture. He also stated that the
destruction. There are many factors affected hordes of visitors may impede local
by the tourism industry thus, social factor is businesses, prevent residents from
one of it. accomplishing normal activities, and
compete for space.

Cultural Costs
The assessment about the impact
of dark tourism in Baguio by the residents
as to cultural costs is presented in Table 5.
The residents indicated their level of
Relationship on the Perception of
agreement and disagreement towards
the Residents in Economic, Social and
perceived cultural costs Agree in most of
Cultural Impacts of Dark Tourism
the indicators of cultural costs except for the
statements which stated that locals are The correlation between perceived
struggling living a normal life in a tourist economic benefits and perceived costs is
destination where life is constantly disrupted presented in Table 6.
by the presence of tourists which they
indicated as Slightly Agree, with obtained
mean values of 3.68, 3.43, and 3.20,
respectively, having an overall mean of 3.44
verbally interpreted as Agree.
Although dark tourism has positive
effects in terms of cultural aspect, there are
Relating the perceived economic
negative instances that inevitably come with
benefit, social cost and cultural cost, it could
it. The local population agree that the
be obtained that the three indicators have
continuously increasing number of tourists
very strong correlation with the rho values of
in their place may lead them to imitate the
0.853 and 0.819, respectively. This implies
tourists' lifestyles and could end up to the
that the perceived economic benefit and
loss of their own local customs and
perceived costs have very strong correlation
traditions. In addition, increasing the prices
with each other when they are used.
of products in the dark tourism sites should
not be abusively done by local businessmen The correlation between perceived
in order not negatively affect the residents. social benefits and perceived costs is
Due to the large number of tourists in the presented in Table 7.
destination, the normal life of residents are
sometimes disrupted.
According to Kreag (2001), as local
ethnic culture alters to t the needs of
tourism, language and cultural practices
 Relating the perceived social advantage. Furthermore, the residents
benefits, social cost, and cultural cost, the assess the costs verbally interpreted as
three indicators have very strong correlation Agreemeaning, they are experiencing the
with the rho values of 0.897 and 0.884, costs specially, social and cultural costs.
respectively. This implies that the perceived Ranked first is social cost thus, it affects the
social benefits and perceived costs have residents of Baguio City in a negative way
very strong correlation with each other when due to the factors that are under social
they are used. costs and secondly, cultural benefits - states
that the culture, traditions and beliefs are
The correlation between perceived
being invaded and changed due to the
cultural benefits and perceived costs is
increasing number of tourists. In conclusion,
presented in Table 8.
there is a neutral agreement that these
costs which the residents are experiencing
are not disadvantageous yet, a developing
process for the city. Based on the findings,
there are intervention programs that can be
applied to boost dark tourism industry, help
the residents and at the same time reduce
the negative impacts. With these programs,
the environment will be conserved as well
Relating the perceived cultural benefit, as the culture of the city. It will help
social cost, and cultural cost, three residents to generate income from the
indicators have very strong correlation with industry. For the long-term, it focuses on the
the rho values of 0.758 and 0.920, local economies and livelihoods, and how
respectively. This implies that the perceived the industry affects the environment, their
cultural benefits and perceived costs have culture and society. With all the stated
very strong correlation with each other when programs, tourism industry in Baguio City
they are used. means a great opportunity and would create
a huge impact to the residents.
5. Conclusion and Suggestions
It is recommended that the local
Based on the findings, residents assess government of Baguio City, specically the
the benefits of dark tourism in Baguio City Tourism Department, to reflect and consider
as Agree meaning, an overall mean, the stated intervention programs such as
concluding that residents of the city are providing seminars, trainings and
experiencing a positive outcome from the workshops about the impact of dark tourism
tourism industry namely on; first, cultural and the possible outcomes. Moreover, it is
benefits ranked the highest thus, residents important to promote and implement the
strongly agree that cultural benefits that intervention programs to achieve positive
manifest is the most beneficial; second, outcomes not only for the residents but also
social benefits represented through the for the tourists.
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