Kenneth L. Maslang¹, Darwin Don M. Dacles^1,, Fe Yolanda G. Del Rosario²

With the onset of heritage sites being considered for tourism attractions, the recognition of tour guides became part of the thrusts of the Department of Tourism and the local government units. Using combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches in research through semi-survey, document scanning, photo documentation and individual interview techniques, the study dealt on the motivations and roles of indigenous tour guides in local tourism. Findings revealed that Batad is a home to some of the well-preserved tourism attractions in the Cordillera region providing the potential long-term sustenance of a tour guiding program. The motivations ranged from marginal to full time employment and from external to internal self-actualization while the roles of tour guides varied from leadership to mediatory roles and as ambassadors for the conservation of natural resources. Furthermore, while there are people and institutions that guide and help the tour guides, there are still many challenges that are being encountered from limited knowledge to environmental conservation to the lack of resources and enabling mechanisms for formal recognition and accreditation. As recommendation, there should be more relevant legislative or political actions from the local government units, review of the registration and accreditation processes for the recognition of tour guides, strengthening of community participation, continuous partnership and linkages between the public and private sectors including national and international organizations, and the conduct of empowerment and local leadership-initiated programs and activities.

Batad Rice Terraces, Batad tour guide, eco-tourism sites, environmental protection and conservation, natural and man-made wonders, Tappiyah Falls