SUSTAINABLE TOURISM FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION
Case Study: El Nido Resorts
Palawan, Philippines
Who We Are
Ten Knots Group • TEN KNOTS is based on the definition of knot as a
unit of speed of one nautical mile per hour. • Ten knots: ideal speed for getting to a dive
destination while cruising leisurely to appreciate nature
Ten Knots Group • Miniloc Island Resort – 1981
• Lagen Island Resort – 1998
• Apulit Island Resort – 2010
• Pangulasian Island Resort – 2012
Quadruple Bottomline
• Financial growth
• Environmental stewardship
• Community engagement
• Organizational development
Our Biodiversity Conservation Programs
Mooring Buoys for Everyone’s Use
• El Nido Resorts’ dive team installed (and maintains) mooring buoys in 21 sites around Bacuit Bay
Support of Community Conservation Efforts
• Installation of artificial reef modules in partnership with the local community and El Nido Foundation
Support of Community Conservation Efforts
• Supported first-ever Philippine Cockatoo Translocation Project, an initiative of the Katala Foundation, Inc.
Support of Community Conservation Efforts
• Sea turtle nest protection and turtle hatchling releases
Support of Community Conservation Efforts
• Crown-of-thorns starfish cleanups
Wildlife Monitoring • Nature Interpretation Training
Sharing
• Print and online media
Celebrating the Environment
• Earth Day
• World Ocean Day
• International Coastal Cleanup Day
Celebrating the Environment
• Earth Hour
• Green Hour
Cleanups
• Coastal and underwater cleanups
Training • Be G.R.E.E.N. (Guard, Respect, Educate El Nido)
Training Seminar
Other Initiatives
Waste Management
Management of Carbon Emissions
Success and Best Practices
Success and Best Practices
• Resort operations have discouraged environmentally destructive and illegal activities
• Negative impacts of resort operations are mitigated
Success and Best Practices
• Expansion of the base of partnerships for conservation
• Consistently favorable reviews from guests in the enjoyment of nature and nature-based activities
Success and Best Practices
• Pacific Asia Travel Association (“PATA”) Gold Award for Environmental Education Programme for El Nido Resorts Be GREEN Campaign, 2011
• ASEAN Green Hotel Award for the years 2008-2009 and 2010-2011
Success and Best Practices
• Travel and Leisure’s “Our Fifteen (15) Favorite Green Hotels,” 2008 and 2007, for US, South Asia and Australia
• British Airways’ Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, 2007, Investors in People Category
Success and Best Practices
• Conde Nast Traveler Green List Awards, 2006
• Islands Blue List Award, 2007
Challenges
Challenges
• Finding a balance between economic development and environmental conservation
• Equal, proper, and efficient enforcement of laws
Thank You!
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