Chapter I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE

Introduction
Hot springs are natural features resulting when ground water is heated by
geothermal forces or subterranean volcanic activity and brought to the surface,
typically becoming diluted with cool surface water on the way. Many are in
attractive locations and are scenic or celebrated, hence are attractions or even
destinations in their own right. Nowadays, many portions of lands that are
discovered with natural hot spring are developed into a resort.
Hot spring resort is one of the famous tourist destinations for a relaxing
vacation or a weekend getaway. It is not only famous for recreational aspects but
also it has known for its health benefits. These mineral-rich baths offer a slew of
natural health benefits. It can boost blood circulation, reduce stress and
promotes sleep, relieve pain naturally and can solve skin problems. The water
found in natural hot springs contains a variety of different minerals that can
contribute to the psychological healing, while heat relaxes tense muscles. And
the high silica content found in hot springs can smooth and soften dry, rough
skin.
Los Baos, a town lies on the northern slopes of the long dormant volcano
Mount Makiling and is known among tourists for its hot spring resorts around the
area. Los Baos is a well-known tourist destination because of the town's
proximity to Metro Manila. Its hot spring resorts are frequent weekend or summer
getaways for residents of the vast metropolis and tourists from other places in the
Philippines and abroad. Tourists who visit Los Baos also come to buy the
several native delicacies. Los Baos also hosts the University of the Philippines.
There are also many local and foreign international research centers that are
situated in the area such as the International Rice Research Institute, the ASEAN
Center for Biodiversity, the Philippine Rice Research Institute, Philippine Carabao
Center at UPLB, and SEAMEO-SEARCA.
With the abundance of the natural resources and its high cultural,
academics, science and research value, an area of Los Baos is selected to be
planned and build into an International Hot Spring and Wellness Center Resort
that offer not only hot spring facility but also a wellness facility for retreat and
physical activities and at the same time, it serve as a venue to showcase
Philippine art & culture.

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Rationale
Los Baos Laguna, being a home for various natural resources such as
mountains, lakes and hot springs, it is no surprise that resorts are among the top
considerations of energy-guzzler developments in the locality. With a lot of
fascinating sceneries, interesting culture and exciting activities to do in the
locality there is no wonder that it is now becoming a key tourist destination
among locals and foreigners. Although there is an influx in the tourism industry in
the country the fact could not be denied that there is still a need for the
Philippines to develop globally competitive resorts which would at the same time,
boast our Philippine culture to be appreciated by other nationalities. According to
some statistics, visitor arrivals in the Philippines have improved over the recent
years, but still these figures are lower in comparison with some of its neighboring
countries. Data show that the Philippines has still a lot of catching up to do to be
competitive in the global tourism scene. Among the eight countries in the Asean
region, the Philippines came in only at seventh place.
Tourism is being viewed by the economic planners as one of the key
prospects of sustained economic growth, as the tourism sector contributes to
foreign exchange receipts and jobs generation.
Philippines as a major tourist destination and in increasing its tourism
competitiveness, issues on ecological aspects should also not be neglected and
have to be addressed if it is to sustain all the efforts in making tourism a driver of
economic growth in the country.

THE PROBLEM
Statement of the Problem
This study aimed to perform a gate-phase evaluation of the proposed
International Hot spring and Wellness Center Resort Complex to its relevance
and contribution to the Philippine tourism industry particularly in the municipality
of Los Baos Laguna, to the economic and cultural growth, urban development
and global competitiveness in terms of developing resorts considering that the
Philippines lags so far behind its other Southeast Asian neighbors in
advancement of globalized resorts.

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Also, it sought to answer the following questions:

I.

How would the competitiveness of the Philippine resorts be assessed

in terms of:
I.1 Site Development
I.2 Facilities and Amenities
I.3 Design and Environmental Management Systems
I.4 Development of planning strategies
I.4.1 Circulation
I.4.2 Vehicular and Pedestrian Movement
1.4 Increase in quality services
1.5 Efficient and Responsible Resource Use and Disposal
1.6 Satisfaction of Guests/Tourists
II.
How would the proposed International Hot spring and Resort Complex
contribute to:
2.1 Tourism Industry in Laguna
2.2 Socio- Economic Progress
2.3 Urban Development
2.4 Enhancement of Cultural Aspects?

Objectives
Provide objectives of the study.

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will redound to the benefit not only to the
development and progress of the town of Los Baos but also to its neighboring
town and to its people living in the area. The study will serve as a guide to the
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said international hot spring and wellness center resort on how it will be develop.
By identifying the limits and opportunities, the possible problems that will be
encountered, and the impact of it to its ecology and environment, and to its
municipality and neighboring town and how to approach the identified problems
and limits, the development of the complex will be assured to prosper and
function effectively to its maximum without major negative effects to its
surroundings. And also by understanding what an international resort and its
function of its facility is, what are the contribution of the additional facilities to the
resort and what resort complex must accommodate will help the said resort to
stand and compete with the current outstanding and famous resorts not only in
the area but also internationally. With the result of the study, it is benefitting both
the economy and tourism of the country.

Scope and Limitations

The research delves into the impact of the development in terms
Urbanization, Tourism, Socio-economic, Environmental aspects and Global
Competitiveness. The research area covers the Region of Laguna particularly the
municipality of Los Baos and the specific areas established within the vicinity of
the site.
This will touch on some aspects of the plan directly related to sustainable
tourism and resort development, namely: Participatory Land use Planning,
Mitigating Negative Impacts and Increasing Positive Benefits of the development,
Responsible design and facility choices and Implementation of ASEAN Tourism
Standards. It will not touch on the aspects of Marketing, Development of
Regional Products and Experiences, Investment, Communications and Issues of
Governance and Implementation . Although the full gamut that accounts for the
Philippines tourism industry comprises several government agencies, the target
respondents or source of data for this research were limited only to the facts and
statistics that will be taken from researches and inquiries providing that it will
guarantee solely pure facts and data.

Definition of Terms
Resort
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is usually a place used for relaxation or recreation, attracting visitors

for vacations, tourism and/or going swimming in a pool. Resorts are places,
towns or sometimes commercial establishment operated by a single company.
Wellness Center
is a building or facility that is devoted towards the promotion of healthy living as
well as the prevention of illness and disease.
Socio-economic
it is defined as how economic activity affects and is shaped by social processes.
In general it analyzes how societies progress, stagnate, or regress because of
their local or regional economy, or the global economy.
Global competitiveness.
the level of productivity of a country. The term is also used to refer in a broader
sense to the economic competitiveness of countries, regions or cities.
Urbanization
is a population shift from rural to urban areas. T he gradual increase in the
proportion of people living in urban areas and the ways in which each society
adapts to the change.
Hot spring
a spring of naturally hot water, typically heated by subterranean volcanic activity.

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Conceptual Framework of the Study

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