The Impact and Difficulties and Challenges of Mountain Climbing: Basis for a Proposed Community-Based Mountain Climbing Tourism Program

Abstract

This study ascertained the Impact and Challenges of Mountain Climbing, specifically, the difficulties and challenges encountered by the local tour guides in facilitating mountain climbing in their community. Using the descriptive method of research and the researcher-made questionnaire in data gathering, the study involved 170 local tour guides in Brgy. San Rafael, Wawa Dam in Rodriguez, Rizal. Frequency, weighted mean, percentage, t-test, and one-way ANOVA were the statistical tools employed in computing data. Results revealed that the majority of the respondents agree that mountain climbing diversifies the local economy and unites various groups inside the community to work together. Moreover, when it comes to ecological impact of mountain climbing activities, most of the respondents disagreed that mountain climbing may results to soil degradation, can cause natural hazards, causes pollution, and can cause destruction of natural vegetation. The most common difficulties and challenges experienced by the local tour guides were maintaining the cleanliness of the community, and preservation of their own culture and traditions. The test of significant difference in the responses on the impact of mountain climbing activities revealed significant difference in the economic impact when grouped according to sex and years of experience as tour guides. Similarly, there was significant difference on the perceived ecological impact when grouped according to age.