The Natural Disaster Preparedness of Hospitality Establishments in the Quezon Province

Abstract

Establishing disaster preparedness is a vital concern for hospitality establishments. This study aimed to determine the level of natural disaster preparedness of selected hospitality establishments of Quezon province, Philippines, as well as the barriers to effective disaster planning, to test the significant difference in the responses of respondents when grouped according to personal and establishment profile, and who were much prepared whether Department of Tourism accredited hospitality establishments or not. Local government actions for the strict implementation of disaster preparedness were also determined and proposed strategies were formulated. This study used descriptive design, a mixed method of a quantitative and qualitative study with 48 respondents. A self-made questionnaire was utilized as a data-gathering instrument. Percentage, frequency distribution, weighted mean, T-Test, and ANOVA were used as statistical tools. Based on the results, it was revealed that both accredited and non-accredited hospitality establishments were moderately prepared in disaster preparedness. Accredited establishments have minor barriers while non-accredited had moderate ones. It was also found out that the income, type of ownership, classification of accredited and non-accredited were major indicators for disaster preparedness. The results showed that hospitality establishments did not coordinate with the government regarding their disaster preparation while the government lacked implementation. The proposed strategies were identified based on different disaster preparedness activities and barriers. It is recommended that disaster preparedness among these hospitality establishments be improved and properly take into consideration the barriers, complete coordination between the hospitality industry and government, and the use of proposed strategies.