Jocelyn Camalig, Zarina Hipolito, Rovena Dellova, Diosdado Garalde Jr., Diana Santillan, Nova Amor Castillo, Rokhshad Tavakoli, Lazey Doma Bhutia, Ruth Sabina Francis

Abstract: This qualitative study assessed the impacts of hospitality projects on the articulated needs of the Dumagat people in terms of education, health, and livelihood in Sitio Masla, Nakar, Quezon in the Philippines. The projects involving the construction and operation of an ecolodge and community kitchen, among others, were spearheaded by the College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management (CITHM), Lyceum of the Philippines University-Manila (LPUM). The study utilized participatory learning and action tools like key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and workshops to gather data among 46 participants from the community and its institutional partners. While most of the participants expressed positive feedback and contentment with the projects, it is evident the project’s impacts are most felt in the education and socio-cultural aspects of community life. Using legacy analysis, the study reveals that further support is needed to ensure the value-added projects can have a lasting effect on the community and its efforts to develop and manage their village as an ecotourism site in the future. Researchers recommend institutionalizing key functions, policies, and actors to address issues and manage many of the critical aspects of the project operation over time.

Keywords:Assessment, community projects, employment, impact, livelihood

Suggested citation: Camalig, J., Hipolito, Z., Dellova, R., Garalde Jr., D., Santillan, D., Castillo, N. A., Tavakoli, R., Bhutia, L. D., & Francis, R. S. (2026). Impact assessment of hospitality projects on an indigenous community in Nakar, Quezon. Asia-Pacific Journal of Innovation in Hospitality and Tourism, 15(1), 213–229.