The Potentials for Ecotourism Development of Tikub Lake : The Obscure Small Lake of Tiaong, Quezon, Philippines

The Philippines is fortunate to have an abundance of small lakes with excellent natural potentials for developing ecotourism. So far, the small lakes are hardly prioritised for ecotourism development, as many are undeveloped, arbitrarily governed and ecologically threatened. This situation is exacerbated by the lack of baseline information, the absence of basic management/development plan, and scarcity of scholarly works— little is known or written about small lakes in the country. Against this backdrop, the study explores the potentials for ecotourism development of Tikub Lake, a small lake in the Municipality of Tiaong, Quezon Province. The article illustrates the following: The small lake is locally accessible and easily reachable from the major urban population centres. It has a relatively superior water condition and has impressive physical features and biodiversity. It has a promising market demand following the trajectory of nature-based tourism locally and nationally. It has rudimentary arrangements and ordinances to get set ecotourism and a committed local government. It is expected to contribute to the municipality’s tourism industry and economy. It is well-accepted and supported by the locals. On the whole, ecotourism development is a feasible alternative for encouraging countryside economic expansion and for sustainably managing a small lake