Introduction

Chapter ITHE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPEIntroductionHot springsare 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.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 PROBLEMStatement of the ProblemThis 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.

Also, it sought to answer the following questions:

I. How would the competitiveness of the Philippine resorts be assessed in terms of:

1.1 Site Development

1.2 Facilities and Amenities

1.3 Design and Environmental Management Systems

1.4 Development of planning strategies

1.4.1 Circulation

1.4.2 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?

ObjectivesProvide objectives of the study.Significance of the StudyThe 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 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 LimitationsThe 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 TermsResort

is usually a place used forrelaxationorrecreation, attracting visitors forvacations, tourismand/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 howeconomicactivity affects and is shaped by social processes. In general it analyzes how societies progress, stagnate, or regress because of their local or regionaleconomy, or the globaleconomy.Global competitiveness.

the level of productivity of a country. The term is also used to refer in a broader sense to the economiccompetitivenessof 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.. Conceptual Framework of the Study2 | Page