INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON TRAVEL DECISION MAKING OF DLSU-D TOURISM MANAGEMENT STUDENTS IN VISITING PEOPLE'S PARK-TAGAYTAY

The research entitled “Influence of Social Media on the Travel Decision-Making of DLSU-D Tourism Management Students in Visiting People’s Park, Tagaytay” was conducted to determine how social media influences students’ travel decisions. The study focused on assessing the effects of social media in terms of trustworthiness, usefulness, novelty, and enjoyment, as well as identifying whether significant differences exist between respondents’ profiles and their assessment of social media influence. A quantitative-descriptive research design was employed, and data were collected from 136 first- and second-year Tourism Management students of De La Salle University–Dasmariñas through a structured survey questionnaire distributed via Google Forms. The data were analyzed using frequency distribution, percentage analysis, weighted mean, and chi-square test. Findings revealed that social media has a strong influence on students’ travel decision-making. Respondents agreed that social media provides trustworthy and useful information for travel planning, enhances curiosity through online reviews, and increases enjoyment through visually compelling images. Thus, social media plays a significant role in shaping students’ travel behavior and destination choice.