What Ifugao farmers, locals and the youth want: beyond tokenism in UNESCO heritage tourism and activities

Heritage tourism at the UNESCO-listed Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, while fostering cultural pride and economic opportunities, often fails to deliver meaningful participation or equitable benefits for local communities. A study involving 250 individuals across four Ifugao municipalities revealed that while transparency in governance was highly valued, issues of fairness, accountability, and inclusivity persisted. Benefits disproportionately favored those directly tied to tourism, leaving farmers, community members, and youth with modest satisfaction. The research advocates for a non-traditional approach to tourism governance, emphasizing open planning and decision-making processes to ensure sustainability, shared benefits, and the preservation of community values without compromising authenticity for visitors.

Baguilat, I. (2026). What Ifugao farmers, locals and the youth want: beyond tokenism in UNESCO heritage tourism and activities. Leisure/Loisir, 1–36. https://doi.org/10.1080/14927713.2026.2666041