Influence of Socio Economic Profile on Foreign Visitors in Negros Occidental

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Scope and Limitations

The study was pursued to gather the profile of foreign travellers in Negros Occidental. The participants of the study are foreign travellers in Negros Occidental aged 13 years old and up using the purposive sampling. This study focuses on the influence of the profile of participants when travelling to a specific destination. Hence, the researchers also asked the provincial Tourism Office about the tourist spots where most of the foreigners stay. A survey was conducted to 54 participants only within Negros Occidental in resorts, schools and malls, as well as different locations and establishments outside of Bacolod City. the actual sample size is 179 but due to time and financial constraints, the researchers only conducted to 54 participants. The researchers also conducted a survey among the different foreign volunteers that are currently staying in Negros Occidental. Lastly, the researchers tried to ask permission from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to conduct a survey at the Bacolod-Silay International Airport but the researchers failed. Due to time constraints, the researchers were not anymore further able to roam around the whole of Negros Occidental and is one of the reasons for the delay in data gathering.

Definition of Terms

The following key terms used in this study are defined conceptually and operationally:

Age. It refers to the period of human life, measured by years from birth, usually marked by a certain stage or degree of mental or physical development involving legal responsibility and capacity (Beauman, 2016, as cited in Bayona, 2015). In this study, it is the age of participants that must be 13 years old and above who are currently living in Negros Occidental.

Civil Status. It conceptually refers to the condition of being married or unmarried (Collins, 1995). In this study it is the participant’s status either single, married, separated, widowed or any claimed status by the participant (Bayona, 2015).

Destination. It is conceptually defined as, the place to which a person or thing travels or is sent (Collins, 2012). In this study, it notes an attraction or event that the participants are willing to travel a long distance to get to, either because it is located in a popular and interesting place.

Factors. It is conceptually defined as one of the elements contributing to a particular result or situation (Collins, 2012). In this study, it refers to the present situation of the province.

Foreigner. It is conceptually defined as a person not native to or naturalized in the country or jurisdiction under consideration. In this study, it refers to the participants who are not born as Filipino citizens.

Motivation. It is conceptually defined as the act or an instance of motivating, or providing with a reason to act in certain way (Collins, 2012). In this study, it refers to the factors that highly affect the participants’ decision travel.

Nationality. It is conceptually defined as the state or fact of being a citizen of a particular nation (Collins, 2012). In this study, it could be referred to as the country of origin of the participants.

Reason. It is conceptually defined as a basis or cause, as of belief, fact event (Collins, 2012). In this study, it refers to the motive for an action, decision or conviction that they wanted to witness here in the province and it is most likely related to personal reasons.

Socio - Economic Profile. It is conceptually defined as a visual display of personal data associated with a specific user (Dough, 2014). In this study, it is all about the participants’ age, sex, nationality, civil status, occupation and income.

Sex. It is conceptually defined as, the sum of the characteristics that distinguishes organisms on the basis of their reproductive function (Harper, 20100. In this study, it refers to whether the participants is male or female.

Traveler. It is conceptually defined as a person who travels or has travelled in distant places or foreign lands (Harper, 2010). In this study, it refers to the foreign participants who are currently staying in Negros Occidental that seeks various psychic and physical experiences and satisfactions.

Unwillingness. It is conceptually defined as not willing or with reluctance (Harper, 2010). In this study, it refers to the intention of the participants as a tourist or traveller whether to communicate ones motives thus considered as inhibitor of communication.

Significance of the Study

This study might be beneficial to the following sectors for the following reasons:

Tourism Office. This study is significant to the tourism office here in Negros Occidental since it will determine the tourism’s performance in terms of their promotional activities whether it needs improvement in order to boost the tourism industry of Negros Occidental. Also, this can benefit the tourism office since the study tackles on profiling the foreign travellers that may enable to identify the reason and factors that the participants consider in visiting the province.

Travel Agencies. This study is significant to travel agencies due to the participants are being asked of how much they spend while here in the province. Hence, the traveling agencies can estimate their prices for future visitors of the province.

The Business Sector. The study may serve as a guide to business sectors like hotels and restaurants considering the preference of foreigners in choosing a place to stay and eat as well.

The Academic Institution. This study may provide new knowledge to the Tourism Management course. Enhanced knowledge in understanding the travel motivation of travellers specifically foreigners. This research is in line with the goals and objectives of the University of producing quality graduates ready for global competitiveness.

The Society. This study may provide new knowledge to the society in understanding the behaviour of foreigner in our country and be able to raise awareness on the reasons why they chose to be in our province.

The Researchers. The study may provide the researcher a new perspective and extent of knowledge learned about the travel motivation of foreigners through books, journals, and local and foreign literatures. Also, it will enhance the skills of the researchers