El Nido Resorts, Apulit Island, Philippines
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
The resort’s conservation initiatives demonstrate its commitment to the company-held principle that responsible tourism anchored on a vibrant natural environment is a viable economic alternative to extractive activities. The resort work closely with the local community in the prevention of illegal fishing, promotion of coastal clean-ups, environmental education campaigns, monitoring of snorkeling and dive sites, and installation and maintenance of mooring buoys.
Guests taking Island Transvoyager Flights to El Nido (then land transfer from El Nido – Taytay) are given the chance to offset their carbon footprint through the airlines Be Green, Fly Green Program.
Guests:
- Guests are reminded and encouraged to conserve our natural resources. Conservation policies are included in the welcome briefing.
- Eco-Nido Bags are provided for the proper disposal of guests' non-biodegradable wastes.
- Guests are encouraged to use refillable water bottles to reduce disposable plastic.
- Guests participate in biodiversity monitoring as they go about ticking their flora & fauna checklist of animal sightings. The Resorts’ Environmental Officers compile all sightings in a biodiversity database online.
Staff:
- The Be GREEN (Guard, Respect, Educate El Nido) training program, in place since 2007, trains all staff on: ecological waste management; water, energy, and biodiversity conservation; and environmental laws.
Resort:
- Water saving devices such as low-flow showerheads and low-flush toilets are in place.
- Water is recycled for use in flushing toilets, watering the plants, and supplying fire hydrants.
- A desalination plant which converts salt water into fresh water suitable for human consumption is currently under construction in Apulit Island resort. Island resorts have very limited supply of fresh water. The desalination plant enables us to avoid depleting mainland water sources and competing with local communities for water supply.
Community
Providing meaningful and worthwhile employment for the local community is a fundamental principle of Apulit Island Resort. Most guest transportation for transfers and activities is carried out on locally built and leased bancas (outrigger boats). Locally produced hand-woven bags and slippers are guest amenities that ensure a constant demand (and therefore good livelihood) for the local women. The Resort employs local tour guides and dive masters and the services of local massage therapists.
Furthermore, whenever there is a shortage of Kugon grass in the El Nido Foundation farm—mostly due to weather conditions—El Nido Resorts purchases from the locally community in Taytay. When the Apulit Island Resort was being built, El Nido Resorts sought the help from the local farmers from the community of Taytay to help in replenishing El Nido Resorts’ Kugon stock. The local grass which was provided by the farmers was used for the new property. The roofs of the fifty water cottages and even the clubhouse of Apulit Island Resort is adorned with the Kugon grass.
