The document discusses the growing popularity of tourism in El Nido, Philippines from 1995 to 2013, with average annual growth rates increasing significantly from 5.7% in 1995-2000 to 21.3% in 2011-2013. This popularity has led to emerging issues like peak season congestion at attractions, increasing environmental degradation and human impacts, and user conflicts between different groups. The document calls for leadership to ensure sustainable tourism through informed participation of stakeholders, optimal environmental resource use, constant impact monitoring, and ensuring benefits are provided to communities and economic viability is maintained long-term.

3. Revenues P640m GOP Margin 33%
NIAT P45m EBITDA Margin 23%

6. Photo by Katherine Jack

8. 2007 onwards

9. El Nido’s Growing Popularity
Period Average Annual
Growth Rate
1995 – 2000 5.7 %
2001 – 2005 9.8 %
2006 – 2010 14.9 %
2011 – 2013 21.3 %
Average Annual Growth in Tourist Arrivals, 1995-2013
Source of Raw Data: Municipal Tourism Office

10. Emergent issues
 Peak hour and
seasonal congestion at
Small and Big Lagoon
 Increasing human
impact (trash,
vandalism, pollution)
 Environmental
degradation at Bacuit
Bay and island
destinations
 User conflicts, e.g.
between motorized
boats and kayakers/
snorkelers
The Cost of Popularity
Emerging issues
 Peak hour and
seasonal congestion at
Small and Big Lagoon
 Increasing human
impact (trash,
vandalism, pollution)
 Environmental
degradation at Bacuit
Bay and island
destinations
 User conflicts, e.g.
between motorized
boats and kayakers/
snorkelers

11. "Tourism is an effective way of redistributing wealth
and a catalyst for gender equality, cultural
preservation and nature conservation.“ - UNWTO
“Tourism carries within itself the seeds of its own
destruction.”

12. Call for Leadership

13. Informed participation of all relevant stakeholders

14. Optimal use of environmental resources

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Monitors impacts constantly

17. Implements corrective and preventive measure timely

18. Ensures a high level of tourist satisfaction and a meaningful experience of the destination

20. Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities

21. Ensure viable, long-term economic use of the resource

22. Providing socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders

23. It’s time to lead.