Paradise Reimagined: Club Paradise Palawan's Sustainable Journey

Club Paradise Palawan Coron the Philippines — Photo by: Discovery Hospitality

In the heart of breathtakingly beautiful Coron, Palawan, Philippines, where turquoise waters meet lush green landscapes, exists a small island that has been on a remarkable journey to sustainability—Club Paradise Palawan.

Over the years, the resort has not only achieved a harmonious balance between providing a luxurious guest experience and ecological stewardship but has also established itself as a pioneering model of sustainable tourism and gained recognition as one of the world's top sustainable destinations.

Here's an inspiring story of how one company turned a small island into a paradise, setting an exceptional standard in sustainable luxury.

Club Paradise Palawan Coron — Photo by: Club Paradise Palawan

The Journey to Sustainable Luxury

Club Paradise Palawan's commitment to sustainability is deeply rooted in its history. Since its inception under Discovery Resorts, the management has prioritized sustainability, believing in the need to "nurture nature." As Hotel Manager Joegil Magtanggol M. Escobar beautifully stated, "Even with all the developments and improvements in the pipeline, the beauty of the island had to be protected and nurtured."

With the full support of the owners, Club Paradise Palawan has taken a dedicated and step-by-step approach to sustainability.

Club Paradise Palawan goes beyond environmental conservation. It also avoids overtourism by restricting day trips and only accommodating guests with reservations. This policy ensures the island is not crowded even when the resort is at full capacity, allowing each guest to receive proper attention and maintain adequate staffing and supplies. The resort's dedication to sustainable luxury is evident in how it delicately balances welcoming visitors while preserving the island's pristine beauty.

Comprehensive Sustainability Initiatives

Club Paradise Palawan is not just all talk when it comes to environmental sustainability. It's part of who they are, deep in their DNA.

The EcoConserve Program, launched in March 2016, is an initiative for environmental sustainability aimed at engaging Club Paradise Palawan's employees and their families to play an active role in conservation. The objective was to rebuild and protect the environment within the area and the surrounding community.

The program consists of four committees, each with ten members representing different departments of the resort, ensuring a comprehensive approach to sustainability. These teams were formed to collectively pursue the program's main objective: to rebuild, protect, and conserve. These tasks are crucial in ensuring that the island and its surroundings receive the care and attention they deserve.

GARMA (Garbage Management): This committee focuses on responsible waste disposal and recycling. Empty wine bottles, for instance, find new life as water containers in the resort's restaurant. Used plastic water containers are repurposed as planters and oversized wire spools are transformed into plant racks. Old van tires are used as steps, making it easier to climb up to Eagle's Point and enjoy the view of the island. Guests and staff alike are encouraged to "BYOB" (Bring Your Own Bottle) for their drinking water, minimizing single-use plastic waste.
Sea Guardians: Dedicated to protecting marine life and preserving the aquatic ecosystem, this committee safeguards the surrounding waters of the island against illegal fishing activities and promotes the health and conservation of the marine ecosystem.
Green Thumb: Emphasizing the importance of greenery, this committee takes on initiatives to enhance the resort's green spaces and promote biodiversity. Taranuman, the resort's organic farm, cultivates fresh herbs and vegetables, allowing guests to indulge in farm-to-table dishes at Firefish Restaurant.
FEW Champs (Fuel, Energy, Water): Responsible for energy-saving initiatives, this committee carefully plans boat trips to conserve fuel, selects energy-efficient appliances for guest rooms, and encourages guests to play their part in energy conservation by reminding them to turn off lights and air conditioners when not in use, and to conserve water.

Oversized wire spools transformed-into-plant-racks 2.jpg

Oversized wire spools became a beautiful home for these plants.jpg

old tires at Eagle's Point hiking trail 2.jpg

CP converted these old van tires into steps, making it easier to go up to Eagle’s Point and enjoy the view of the island..jpg

Photos by: Club Paradise Palawan

The EcoConserve Program has had a profound impact on both the resort and its guests. Aside from its positive environmental effects, the program aims to instill a sense of environmental responsibility among visitors. Despite the staff's busy schedules, they prioritize these activities and encourage guests to participate and learn.

"Our goal is for guests and staff to appreciate the efforts made and, hopefully, make sustainability part of their daily lives," shares Jules Jason C. Asis, Club Paradise Palawan's Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability Manager.

Innovative Sustainability Projects

Club Paradise Palawan has taken environmental sustainability to a new level with its innovative programs. The Ecobrick Project and "Turning Waste to Wonderful" are two of the resort's innovative initiatives that transform waste into valuable resources.

The Ecobrick Project: Breathing New Life into Plastic Waste

The resort's Ecobrick Project is a great example of being resourceful and environmentally responsible. It started with the idea of reusing old plastic bottles, especially the ones used for soft drinks and bottled beverages.

"We saw an opportunity to reuse waste products and turn them into something useful," explains Escobar.

The Ecobrick Project has had a two-pronged impact on Club Paradise Palawan's operations. First, it helps keep the island and surrounding waters clean by preventing plastic waste from polluting them. Plus, it creates a valuable product that can be utilized in sustainable construction.

In line with their dedication to reducing single-use plastics (SUPs), the resort has enforced regulations prohibiting SUPs on the island. This initiative decreased plastic waste and led to cost savings by reducing the volume of waste requiring removal from the island.

Photos by: Club Paradise Palawan

"Turning Waste to Wonderful": Nurturing Eco-Friendly Practices

The "Turning Waste to Wonderful" initiative is Club Paradise Palawan's answer to the ecological challenges posed by solid waste and food waste generated by the hospitality and tourism industry. The surge in the resort's popularity has led to a proportional increase in waste generation. To tackle this challenge, the EcoConserve initiative was introduced as a key component of their sustainability efforts.

This program encompasses a range of eco-friendly activities designed to minimize waste generation and incorporate sustainable practices into resort operations.

Central to this initiative is "Taranuman," meaning "farm" in the local Cuyonon dialect. The farm's facilities are constructed using recycled materials from the resort. Organic farming also plays a crucial role in this initiative. The resort segregates organic by-products and end-products in the kitchen, which are then used as organic sources of fertilizer.

The response from guests has been overwhelmingly positive, with many appreciating the resort's commitment to ecological stewardship. "Our guests have not only enjoyed their stay but have also been inspired by our sustainability efforts," remarks Asis.

Community Impact and Guest Engagement

Club Paradise Palawan has extended its commitment to social responsibility beyond the resort's boundaries. They have also implemented several initiatives that positively impact the local community and engage guests in sustainable practices.

At the resort, the idea of coexisting with nature and sharing equity with the local community is a cornerstone of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) actions. Through various programs, it has consistently made a positive social impact.

One such story that embodies their commitment is the Welcome Bracelet-making program. Women from local communities in Coron assemble these bracelets using materials provided by the resort. These bracelets serve as a warm welcome to guests upon their arrival, offering a heartfelt connection between visitors and the local community. The women are paid for their work, creating a source of income and promoting local craftsmanship.

Other notable programs include:

medical missions
educational support through the Discovery Model Student Program
Brigada Eskwela initiative involving repainting classroom walls
child-feeding and gift-giving programs
community enhancement through Adopt-a-household and Waves for Water bucket-sharing programs
livelihood training, such as the production of virgin coconut oil
tourism-services-related skills training Cunat, Sustainable Sri Lanka's Senior Partner and Sustainability Consultant.

Recognition by Green Destinations

Club Paradise Palawan has gained global recognition for its unwavering commitment to sustainability.

The resort has been recognized as one of the top 100 destinations for its innovation and good practices in tourism management by Green Destinations for four consecutive years, from 2020 to 2023.

Sustainability Plans

The resort's EcoConserve activities were tailor-made for the setting of Dimakya Island in Coron and are continually improved to fit changing times. Forest and marine-related activities have been supplemented with monitoring protocols to determine population and biological statistics, providing quantitative measurements for conservation efforts.

Looking ahead, Club Paradise Palawan plans to enhance its sustainability through several initiatives.

Other projects being considered include monitoring other wildlife to determine the impacts of co-existing ecotourism and hospitality with the island environment.

They have initiated monitoring coral-eating starfish species at the House Reef, a critical step in reef conservation.

Science-based measures have also been drafted together with the dive team of Club Paradise Divers, leading to the birth of the program ICE CREAM—Island Conservation & Ecotourism: Coral Reef Enhancement and Monitoring.

Club Paradise Palawan also has plans to incorporate solar power as a renewable energy source into their resort's daily operations. This carbon-light initiative will be integrated into the resort's power grid system, with a generator set serving as an alternative and supplementary power source during periods of low solar radiance or adverse weather conditions.

The resort is also set to expand its Taranuman Farm, broadening its focus to include cultivating mud crabs, pigs, and more, strengthening their commitment to sustainability and self-sufficiency.

Advice for Aspiring Sustainable Resorts

Club Paradise Palawan advises other resorts looking to integrate more sustainable practices into their operations to plan their conservation efforts carefully.

"These efforts may not be easy and require a lot of hard work, but they are definitely worth doing, especially when you see the positive effects," says Asis.