MANILA, Philippines - El Nido Resorts in Bacuit Bay, Palawan, was recently recognized as a global trailblazer in sustainable tourism, winning the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)’s Tourism for Tomorrow Awards in Abu Dhabi.
The awards, which were part of WTTC’s global summit, highlight the efforts of travel and tourism businesses and destinations around the world to successfully balance their commitments to profitability, to uphold environmental best practices and to benefit the local communities that host them. El Nido Resorts was one of four winners chosen from among 133 applications from 46 countries.
Named the Community Benefit Award winner, El Nido Resorts was cited for “demonstrating the power of tourism to address poverty alleviation, improve local livelihood and protect the cultural and natural heritage for future generations.†Composed of four eco-resorts in the islands of Miniloc, Lagen, Pangulasian and Apulit, El Nido Resorts was recognized for employing and training the locals that staff its properties. Palawan residents, mostly from the municipality of El Nido, make up 90 percent of its organization.
Through constant training, the staff learn and appreciate environmental best practices in addition to the high level of skills required by Ten Knots’ hospitality business catering largely to global travelers. They also become knowledgeable about the spectrum of bird species, fish and marine invertebrates that thrive in Bacuit Bay.
WTTC is a forum of business leaders in the travel and tourism industry.