Governors of Safety: Lived Experiences of Tourism Police

Abstract

Scope Of Application

Phenomenological Study Of Tourism Police And Their Contribution Towards Safety And Security Of Tourists With Implications On Tourism Industry Of A Country

Objective

Explore The Lived Experiences Of Tourist Police In The Implementation Of Bantay Turista Program In The Province Of Cebu.

Methods And Results

This Study Used Qualitative Research Method Employing Phenomenology As An Approach. A Purposive Sampling Method Was Used In Choosing The Participants. There Were 12 Participants Coming From Cebu Police Provincial Office Tourist Police Unit. In The Data Gathering Procedure, The Researcher Used A Self-Made Interview Guide That Was Validated By The Research Ethics Committee. The Data That Were Gathered In The Depth-Interview And Focus Group Discussion Were Analyzed Using Colaizzi’ Phenomenological Inquiry Approach. The Study Came Up With Two Themes Which Described The Positive Experiences Of The Informants Namely: Tourist Police Serves As Tourists’ Guardians And Altruism: Creates A Feeling Of Happiness. For The Negative Experiences Of Informants, The Following Two Themes Came About, Civility: Crucial In Maintaining Good Police And Community Relation And Non-Observance With Laws, Rules And Regulations Among Tourists. As To How The Informants Addressed The Problems Encountered In Implementing Tourists’ Security Programs, There’s One Theme: Upward Communication: The Appropriate Way To Address The Problems Encountered. For The Impact Of Tourists’ Security And Safety Programs To The Life Of Informants There Were Two Themes: Tourists’ Security And Safety Programs Boost Up Self- Confidence And Tourists’ Security Work Improves Communication And Interpersonal Skills.

Conclusions

The Need To Appropriate Funds For Logistical Supplies To Each Tpu –Tpac, The Deployment Of Additional Tourist Police, And Conduct Of Basic Bilingual Training, Emergency Response Like First –Aid And Scuba Diving Training Came Out In This Study.