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 Everyones 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 firstever 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

 Be G.R.E.E.N. (Guard, Respect, Educate El Nido) Training Seminar

Training

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 naturebased 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 20102011

Success and Best Practices

Travel and Leisures 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!