Tourism in Conflict-Affected Communities of Basilan Province: Prospects, Challenges and Policy Options

This study aims to determine the prospect of tourism industry in conflict-affected communities of Basilan Province despite of its long drawn image of conflict, violence and poverty. For this purpose, key-informant interviews and textual analysis of available references were conducted. Consequent interviews revealed that Basilan specifically the identified conflicted communities are naturally attractive which drive in tourists despite of its perilous image. This study strongly agrees that peace is not necessarily a requirement for attaining tourism development. Basilan if active policy actions will be undertaken has a strong potential to be as globally competitive as other tourist destinations in the country and worldwide. Local Government Units (LGUs) in coordination with other stakeholders should communally cultivate strategic mechanisms to deracinate its deep-rooted image of war, terrorism and impoverishment and replant a better community hovering with future tourism industries.