Advisers

Vinalyn L. Sarzata, MBA

Discipline

Tourism & hospitality

Abstract

In recent years, the tourism sector has placed increasing emphasis on enhancing visitor satisfaction and experience, particularly in ecotourism destinations where the balance between recreation and conservation is critical. However, issues such as poor facility maintenance, limited accessibility, and inconsistent sustainability practices remain persistent challenges in many public parks, including urban green spaces like the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center (NAPWC). As facilities are often viewed as the foundation of tourist comfort, safety, and convenience, their quality directly shapes visitor perceptions, attitudes, and overall satisfaction. These gaps highlight the need for systematic evaluation of facility effectiveness to ensure continuous improvement and to maintain the competitiveness of NAPWC as a leading ecotourism destination in Metro Manila. A combining descriptive comparative and descriptive correlational was employed, with data collected through survey questionnaires administered to park visitors. Weighted mean was used to assess levels of satisfaction and experience, while Pearson’s correlation tested the relationship between facility quality and the two main variables. This methodology provided measurable evidence of how facility-related factors impact tourist perceptions and outcomes. The findings revealed that, for tourist experience, environmental sustainability received the highest rating (WM = 3.32, Highly Satisfied), followed by cleanliness and maintenance (WM = 3.22, Satisfied), and comfort and amenities (WM = 3.16, Satisfied). For tourist satisfaction, comfort and amenities ranked highest (WM = 3.26, Strongly Agree), followed by cleanliness and maintenance (WM = 3.17, Agree), and environmental sustainability (WM = 3.15, Agree). Pearson’s correlation indicated a significant positive relationship between the quality of facilities and both satisfaction and experience, confirming that better facility management leads to improved visitor outcomes. The study concluded that facilities play a vital role in shaping tourist experiences and satisfaction at NAPWC. It is recommended that management prioritize continuous facility upgrades, strengthen maintenance and cleanliness programs, and reinforce environmental sustainability initiatives. By implementing these measures, NAPWC can further enhance its image as a world-class ecotourism destination while ensuring memorable, safe, and meaningful experiences for future visitors.

Keywords

environmental sustainability, sustainable tourism, tourist satisfaction, cleanliness, tourist experience, park facilities, comfort and amenities