Santuario (Shrines): The Sustainable Religious Tourism Management of Selected Philippine Congregation-managed Marian Shrines

This study assesses how sustainable tourism management is implemented in selected Philippine Marian Shrines, managed by religious congregations. In conducting the study, the researchers used a qualitative case study approach, as the data were collected using Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The study’s key informants (n=27) are the stakeholders of the two selected study sites. These include the congregation, staff members, tourism-related business owners, Barangay government representatives, local police officers, and local tourism representatives. The Repertory Grid methodology was utilised to analyse the data gathered. From the findings, the researchers developed the I.T.S.P. (Immersion, Tutelage, Stewardship, and Proposition): Sustainable Religious Tourism Development Framework based on the viewpoints of the key informants regarding the existing situation of the shrines during their daily operations before and during the pandemic and under the new normal condition. The study’s findings, as recommended by the researchers, can be used by the governing authorities of the Marian Shrines as guide in establishing the shrines as sustainable tourist destinations.