the potential of mountain biking as an ecotourism

7/29/2019 The Potential of Mountain Biking as an Ecotourism

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For. Paolo Mendioro

MS Natural Resource Conservation


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Mountain biking is a relatively new form ofrecreation and sport.

However, it has shown potential and growththe past decade or so.

The explosion in popularity started in the

early 1990s.


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From 1990-1992, there has been a 66%increase in bike ownership to 25 millionpeople (IMBA)

Estimates for trail riders in the US alone is 2-3 million people (IMBA)

The Philippines can boast of year roundriding


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Vast natural formations of hills, mountainsand valleys are great for outdoor recreation

Access to these places are close to urbancenters like Manila

Ecotourism recognizes mountain biking as a

legitimate activity


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Ecotourism was given a push by EO 111, withhelp from NZAID in 1999.

There has been no studies about thepotential of mountain biking as anecotourism activity in the Philippines.

But mountain-bike specific events have beenproliferating.


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Mt. Makiling, being close to Manila is a primetarget for ecotourism activities

Though primarily a research and trainingfacility for Forestry students, it has other usesone of those is ecotourism

There is awareness of Mt. Makiling as anecotourism destination


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The Mariang Makiling Trail is multi-use,meaning there are multiple users, withpotential for conflicts.

Trail access is hotly contested in foreigncountries with dedicated trails for recreation.

Mountain bikes are perceived to bedangerous and destructive, but stats showotherwise.


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A shot of mountain biking in the Mariang Makiling Trail

(courtesy of G.Gibe)


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The study will determine if the MakilingForest Reserve has potential to be a mountainbiking destination with a focus on ecotourism

To determine the potential, severalparameters must be identified

Both the target market and the site haveattractive and unattractive parameters.


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Who is the mountain biker?

What drives them to do this activity?

Are they aware of ecotourism and its impacts?

Are they aware of mountain biking as an

ecotourism activity?

Is the mountain biker willing to pay and work for

new trails and access?

What does the MFR see in mountain bikers in

relation to other tourists?

Is the MFR willing to work with mountain bikers?


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The MFR is under the direct jurisdiction ofUPLB

No studies about mountain biking has beendone in any protected area in the Philippines

Visibility of people with mountain bikes and

actual mountain biking is increasing to helpwith the variety and accuracy of data.


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As a protected area, the MFR is subject toprocedures mandated by governing bodies

Qualitative data is subject to resourcepersons availability and reliability.


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The Philippines has no study on the activityof mountain biking.

Foreign countries like the US, Canada, NewZealand, and Australia have found out thatmountain bikes are not as damaging aspeople think.

Most studies are centered on environmentalimpacts


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Developing an ecotourism product requiresmany things

A manager must identify the differentparameters that can be used to develop theproduct

The various individuals that make up themountain biking sector must be takenaccount


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The Slickrock Trailin Moab, Utah is

one of the mostfamous trails in theworld.

In 1998, it earned$8,422,800-$8,770,300 using

the Travel CostMethod.


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What the people of Moab did was to embracethe fact that it is a well known mountainbiking destination and made theimprovements

It is wholly possible that the MFR can do thatin the future, to provide ecotourism through

mountain biking.


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To determine the potential of mountainbiking as an ecotourism activity in the MFR

To identify the current trends in mountainbiking present in the MFR

To identify the parameters that can make a

good mountain bike specific area in MFR inthe future


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To look at the different parameters of thestakeholders (bikers, the MFR, and theorganization)

To recognize the demands of the mountain bikersin an bike-specific destination, as well as theirwillingness to pay for access.

To assess the ability of the MFR to accommodatemountain biking, as well as biker traffic

To recommend future courses of action andstrategies for this specific product.


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The study will take place in and around theUniversity of the Philippines Los Baos andthe Makiling Forest Reserve in August 2012.


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Cross Country (XC)focuses on distanceand not sotechnical terrain

Bikes are usuallyshort on

suspension travel,and has climbing-oriented geometry


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All Mountain (AM) ismore challengingthan XC, but not so

technical either. Bikes used in AM

are the mostversatile among

mountain bikes.


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Freeride (FR) is onlydone by experts,because it useshighly challenging

terrain.

Bikes are especiallyrobust, and are not

recommended forclimbing and longpedaling.


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Downhill racing (DH)is the fastest and themost difficult of allmountain bike

disciplines.

The bikes have longsuspension travel

and have strongconstruction.


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A socio-economic profile of mountain bikerswill be done

Collection of primary data from MCME

Key informant interviews

Secondary data collection from similar studies

Willingness-to-pay/ Valuation methods


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The data collected will be used as a gaugefor the MFRs potential for mountain biking.

The parameters will be based on the 5 As ofTourism (Amenities, Access, Awareness,Attractions, Accomodations)

If all goes well, a mountain bike trail will beopened in the future, minimizing thedependence on the Mariang Makiling trail.


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*ako yung nasa pictures.

the potential of mountain biking as an ecotourism

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