ASSESSMENT ON THE ROLES OF TRAVEL AGENCIES TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE TOURISM PRACTICES IN THE TWO PROVINCES OF LUZON, PHILIPPINES

The research study proposed guidelines for travel agency to sustainable tourism practices. To come up with the guidelines, the researcher used a descriptive type of research design. The respondents were chosen through a total enumeration sampling. In addition, quantitative approach was applied using a questionnaire survey for this research study to ensure that the answers of the respondents would be relevant to the objectives of the study. Furthermore, the researcher used a fivepoint Likert Scale in the survey questionnaire. The findings of the study showed that the most important role of travel agency is to reduce the negative impact to the environment. Meanwhile, for the implementation of sustainable tourism practices of travel agency, results revealed that providing of trainings is needed to have effective managers. While in promoting sustainable tourism practices, it is significant to promote accountability in the organization. The most challenging part for the travel agency to practice sustainable tourism is the tourism products that are not properly managed by the local government and community. Hypotheses showed that there is a significant difference between respondents and location in the implementation of sustainable tourism practices. The sustainable tourism guideline which is the output of the study could be used to implement and promote sustainable tourism which is beneficial to the economy, environment, and socio cultural of the community, and lastly to prolong the resources of the tourism products.