Institutional Capacity, Service Utilization, and Public Perceptions of Community-Based Tourism Programs: Governance Implications in Zamboanga City, Philippines

Abstract

Local governments increasingly adopt Community-Based Tourism (CBT) as a development strategy to promote inclusive growth, improve public service delivery, and localize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). In decentralized governance contexts, the effectiveness of CBT initiatives depends not only on community participation but also on institutional capacity, service utilization, and public perceptions of government performance. Despite the growing body of CBT literature, limited empirical attention has been given to how administrative capacity and governance arrangements shape community utilization of tourism programs and public perceptions of their effectiveness. This study examines the relationship between institutional capacity, service utilization, and public perception of CBT initiatives in Zamboanga City, Philippines. Using a mixed-method research design, the study analyzes survey data and key informant interviews to assess how local government structures, coordination mechanisms, and administrative practices influence community engagement and utilization of CBT services. Findings indicate that while CBT initiatives are generally perceived as accessible and culturally relevant, variations in institutional capacity and inter-agency coordination significantly affect service utilization and public confidence in local tourism governance. The study contributes to public administration literature by situating CBT within the discourse on service delivery and institutional performance and offers policy-relevant insights for strengthening governance systems to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of community-based tourism programs.