Preparedness and awareness among tourists about natural disasters in the Philippines : A Field Study
Kalliomäki, Päivi; Männistö, Taru (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025060420263
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025060420263
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The aim of this field study was to investigate tourists' preparedness and awareness for natural disasters in the Philippines, as well as what challenges and areas for development there may be. The intention was to increase tourists' preparedness and, potentially, there safety or find ways to develop these.
The aim was to find out on what different ways tourists have prepared for possible natural disasters in the destination and whether there are any gaps in knowledge or preparation. In addition, the study aims to find out what tourists generally know about natural disasters in the Philippines. As an outcome, the study provides recommendations on how, where, and by whom tourists' awareness and preparedness could be improved.
The study's framework is built on background information about natural disasters, the incidence and impact of such as typhoons and earthquakes in the Philippines. The crisis management system in the Philippines, particularly in relation to natural disasters, is described as part of the background. Tourism and the impact of natural disasters on it in the Philippines context are highlighted.
This study was a qualitative field study using thematic analysis, an iterative process, and an abductive approach. Data was collected through field interviews at the Philippines in November 2024. There was a total of thirteen interviews and seventeen participants. Interviewees were selected using purposeful and convenient sampling based on their background and availability. The results were validated through researcher triangulation and systematic documenting and evaluating of study process.
Results show that tourists are not very prepared for natural disasters and have little or no knowledge of them, even though they were traveling in an area where they regularly occur. Tourists had not searched for information, nor had come across it while searching for information about the destination and were not even very interested in it. The results also revealed the information channels tourists used and through which they would like to receive information.
To increase tourist preparedness, safety and first of all awareness, information should be increased through both official and unofficial channels. Social media and peers should be utilized in developing information and preparedness. In addition, information should be provided to tourists in a way that they do not have to search and cannot avoid it.
The aim was to find out on what different ways tourists have prepared for possible natural disasters in the destination and whether there are any gaps in knowledge or preparation. In addition, the study aims to find out what tourists generally know about natural disasters in the Philippines. As an outcome, the study provides recommendations on how, where, and by whom tourists' awareness and preparedness could be improved.
The study's framework is built on background information about natural disasters, the incidence and impact of such as typhoons and earthquakes in the Philippines. The crisis management system in the Philippines, particularly in relation to natural disasters, is described as part of the background. Tourism and the impact of natural disasters on it in the Philippines context are highlighted.
This study was a qualitative field study using thematic analysis, an iterative process, and an abductive approach. Data was collected through field interviews at the Philippines in November 2024. There was a total of thirteen interviews and seventeen participants. Interviewees were selected using purposeful and convenient sampling based on their background and availability. The results were validated through researcher triangulation and systematic documenting and evaluating of study process.
Results show that tourists are not very prepared for natural disasters and have little or no knowledge of them, even though they were traveling in an area where they regularly occur. Tourists had not searched for information, nor had come across it while searching for information about the destination and were not even very interested in it. The results also revealed the information channels tourists used and through which they would like to receive information.
To increase tourist preparedness, safety and first of all awareness, information should be increased through both official and unofficial channels. Social media and peers should be utilized in developing information and preparedness. In addition, information should be provided to tourists in a way that they do not have to search and cannot avoid it.