Heritage-Related Resources in Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines as Potential Heritage Tourism Sites

The tourism industry is a fast-paced industry that necessitates the capacity to rapidly adapt to evolving tourist wants and demands. In the Philippines, the concept of heritage is well-known through its rich history. Considering all of the local heritage tourism sites evident in the country, indeed viewpoints with regards to heritage differ across regions. This study mainly identified heritage tourism-related resources in the town of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, and determined the potentials of these in making the town become a heritage tourism site. A descriptive-qualitative research method was used. As for the data collection method, researchers used the interview method, document scanning and ocular visit. The potentiality of the town was described through the use of the UNESCO Criteria. Results indicate that Solano is home to more heritage resources. The town of Solano has met UNESCO Criterion 2 due to the presence of a unique cultural heritage known as the “perfect square” and is characterized by its preserved road distances, which adhere to the urban planning. The identified town’s natural, man-made landscapes and cultural treasures also serve as contributory factors for heritage and tourism-related reasons. Further, the proposed excursion itinerary can also enhance Solano’s entire heritage tourism services and be highly helpful for future plans for recognizing it as a heritage tourism site. Overall, this contributed relevant input to stakeholders on how the town can be maximized, such that economically and cultural-wise, the municipality may be positioned as a future heritage tourism site worthy of local as well as national and international visitors’ attention.