Southern Leyte beach resort, Philippines
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
Other than a handful of dive shops, Sogod Bay is almost completely undeveloped as far as tourism is concerned. Our objective is to provide first class facilities and service but also to introduce the area, its people and its culture to our guests and help them get an all round experience of the Central Philippines.
Water, electricity and waste management are vital concerns and we aim to meet the standards demanded by visitors while minimising the strain on these services. Our water supply comes almost entirely from re-cycled rainwater. Nearly all light bulbs are energy efficient, we do not have air-conditioning in public areas or in bathrooms and all bedrooms have opening windows allowing guests to choose between natural ventilation and air-conditioning. Hot water is appliance specific. We purchase only bottled drinks and both the bottles and bottle tops are re-cycled. We compost garden and bio-degradable waste, segregate other waste and encourage guests to take used personal items such as shampoo cartons and batteries back home with them.
Community
The local government has recognised the tourism potential and we are working closely with the municipal authorities to help them increase the economic well-being of the local population through tourism while enhancing rather than detracting from the natural environmental assets of the area. Specific projects are to develop local skills to provide products, e.g. handicrafts, and services, e.g. traditional massage, for tourists, to upgrade local boats to provide shade and safety equipment necessary for transportation of visitors and to provide signs and information on existing historic, cultural and natural attractions.
All staff and contractors are from the local area and we provide employment contracts and benefits in excess of both legal requirements and local practice. All fresh food is purchased from the local markets and originates from local farmers and fishermen.
We pay a voluntary levy to the local council to help them keep the public beach clean, we keep the beach adjacent to but outside the resort clean, we encourage our guests to visit the local marine sanctuaries and ensure they pay the entrance fees, we encourage guests to visit and support the local orphanage and we work closely with the Municipal Planning & Development Officer on a range of issues.
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