Carcar Chicharon A Potential for Tourism Impact Studies

This study determines the economic potential of chicharon business in Carcar City, Cebu, Philippines. It answers these objectives to: (1) check its profile with reference to: capitalization, volume of products, types of products, marketing, profit and number of workers; (2) ascertain its problems; (3) assess its economic potential to different stakeholders, namely: business owners, workers, vendors, and the community; and (4) evaluate its effects to the other sectors of the city.This study used an ethnographic design with naturalistic observation, interviews of key informants, field notes, and supported with secondary data. KIs were interviewed through interview guides, during their most convenient time. To observe ethics, names of KIs and other stakeholders were held confidentially. The findings were validated through expert triangulation. The chicharon business contributed to Carcar’s small scale industry. Despite various challenges faced; it continued to grow, contributing to the socio-economic development. Its potential cascaded to other economic sectors, especially for the city’s viability as a tourism hub. For further investigation, these are hereby recommended: culture and heritage advocates may continue to find ways to preserve the city’s centuries old delicacy; adoption of new technologies to make the products competitive in local and global markets; and follow up studies to sustain the business’ economic potentiality. Government agencies may continue its present programs to sustain the business; strong financial assistance; improved environmental sanitations; programs and trainings, efficient machinery to help the business prosper and make Carcar a potential tourist destination.

Keywords: Chicharon, economic impact