Evaluating The Performance of Tourist Police in Ensuring a Secure Environment for Tourists in Panglao, Bohol

Abstract

Safety and security are critical determinants of destination competitiveness and visitor confidence, particularly in tourism-dependent communities. This study assessed the effectiveness of tourist police in Panglao, Bohol, Philippines, examining awareness, satisfaction, operational challenges, and the relationship between awareness and perceived performance to inform policy and operational strategies to enhance tourism security in the region. A quantitative descriptive-correlational design was employed. Data were collected from 508 respondents, including tourists, residents, and tourist police personnel, through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation) were used to summarize responses, while Spearman’s rho correlation analysis examined the association between awareness and satisfaction levels. Communication barriers, especially involving foreign tourists, and limited stakeholder coordination were identified as operational challenges, underscoring the need for collective efforts to address these issues. The findings suggest that strengthening communication strategies, multilingual capacity, and stakeholder collaboration can inspire confidence and motivate stakeholders to support enhanced tourism security in Panglao.