2020 El Nido Resorts and Lio Tourism Estate, a group of private island resorts and a tourism estate in the Philippines that is part of the Ten Knots Group, a subsidiary of the Ayala Land, Inc., become the first in the world to be awarded Sea Turtle Friendly™ Tourism Certification by the Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network (WFEN). Working with WFEN since 2017 to develop, implement and pilot best practice guidelines for resorts, tour operators, and other tourism businesses to contribute to conservation, El Nido Resorts and Lio Tourism Estate have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability and the protection of biodiversity including critical mangrove, seagrass, and coral reef ecosystems.
These 4 standalone resort properties, Apulit Island, Miniloc Island, Lagen Island, and Pangulasian Island, as well as the 325ha Lio Tourism Estate, have met the requirements for mitigating key threats to sea turtles and their survival through their Be G.R.E.E.N. (Guard, Respect, Educate El Nido) program. This includes implementing best practices to minimize negative impacts on sea turtles. Specific conservation actions include ensuring beachfront lighting that does not cause disorientation of hatchlings, and conducting active sea turtle patrols by staff help to protect nests, hatchlings, and adult turtles from poaching and other key threats. In addition, guest education is prioritized to highlight actions tourists can take to keep sea turtles safe such as keeping a respectful distance from sea turtles in the water, never feeding them, and minimizing litter and marine pollution during their stay. The properties have eliminated disposable plastic products and host beach cleanup efforts to help address the global issue of marine plastic pollution.
Located in Palawan, the province referred to as the ‘last ecological frontier’ of the Philippines, Ten Knots properties span several islands in the municipalities of El Nido and Taytay which are Miniloc, Lagen, Apulit and Pangulasian. In the mainland, they have Lio Tourism Estate, better known as “Lio Beach” – a 325ha sustainably masterplanned mix-use destination. With over 850 species of fish, 45 genera of corals, and at least a hundred species of birds, El Nido also hosts 5 out of 7 marine turtle species in their waters; their beaches are important nesting habitat for 3 including the endangered Green, the critically endangered Hawksbill and the vulnerable Olive Ridley sea turtle. Other rare and protected species found on the resort properties include the Palawan Hornbill, the Asian Fairy-Bluebird, and the Philippine Pangolin.
“This certification comes at an opportune time as Ten Knots celebrates its 40th anniversary this year” says Ten Knots Group Director for Marketing Joey Bernardino. “It validates our efforts, showing us how we are on the right track when it comes to preserving the environment.”
“We are proud to add Ten Knots as part of the global Wildlife Friendly™ family of brands,” said Julie Stein, Executive Director and Co-founder of WFEN. “They are a model we hope other resorts around the world will be inspired by to protect our fragile marine resources through tourism that advances conservation outcomes for species like sea turtles.” The Sea Turtle Friendly™ Tourism program will be open to global applicants early this year. The Sea Turtle Friendly™ standards were developed in collaboration with leading sea turtle experts around the world including Romy Trono, the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST), and others.
Tourists can experience the world’s first Sea Turtle Friendly™ resort by flying direct to El Nido via Airswift which has daily flights between El Nido and Manila, Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Busuanga, Clark, Bohol and Boracay. You may book through www.air-swift.com
About El Nido Resorts
El Nido Resorts is a group of eco-resorts located in the municipalities of El Nido and Taytay in Palawan, Philippines. Beginning operations in 1979, the resorts offer genuine local hospitality and unique and enriching experiences amidst the beautiful natural landscape. The group is currently comprised of Miniloc, Lagen and Pangulasian Island Resorts in El Nido, and Apulit Island Resort in Taytay. El Nido Resorts has been blessed with being situated in an area of high biodiversity and so stewardship is exercised over the flourishing environment, stressing the importance of preserving nature to all who visit.
Instagram: @elnidoresorts | FB: El Nido Resorts
About Lio Tourism Estate
Lio Tourism Estate is Ayala Land’s first tourism estate located in the paradise of El Nido, Palawan, masterplanned as an integrated resort community with hotels and resorts, commercial establishments, residential communities, amenities and facilities for eco-adventure and leisure travelers. The 325-hectare development is guided by the principles of sustainability and inclusive growth, ensuring the least impact to the environment while benefiting the local community.
Instagram: @lioelnido | FB: Lio Beach
About Be G.R.E.E.N. (Guard, Respect, Educate El Nido)
Be GREEN started out as an environmental education program in 1999 aimed at teaching conservation to Ten Knots staff in the context of their work and personal lives. It eventually expanded to include nature interpretation trainings, community outreach, youth camps, and essentially any and all projects undertaken by Ten Knots’ Environment and Sustainability Department.
Instagram: @enrbegreen | FB: El Nido Resorts – Be GREEN
About Wildlife Friendly Enterprise Network
WFEN and its certification programs represent grassroots farmers, ranchers, herders, artisans, indigenous peoples and conservation heroes from around the world including two World Bank Development Marketplace Award winners, a U.N. Equator Prize winner, leadership in the world’s marketplace for REDD+ Carbon Offsets, and a Time Hero for the Planet. Wildlife Friendly® products contribute to the conservation of over thirteen million hectares of diverse wetlands, forests, and grasslands; protect keystone endangered species in Asia, Africa, Europe, and Latin and North America, including the Snow Leopard, Elephant, Tiger, Cheetah, Red Panda, and Wolf; and benefit over 300,000 people through increased food security, income and employment. For more information visit: www.wildlifefriendly.org, Instagram: @wildlifefriendly, Twitter: @wfen
Contact
El Nido Resorts: Direct Sales Mobile – 0917 584 1576 (Philippines); [email protected] (for bookings)
Lio Beach: [email protected] (for bookings)
Ten Knots Group Sustainability: [email protected]
WFEN: Julie Stein – [email protected]
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