Making responsible tourism possible

Ecologically sustainable travel does not mean having to forgo comfortable amenities. With the rise of responsible tourism, more hotels and lodges have weaved sustainability into all aspects--from the design to their practices. One such destination is Lio, Ayala Land's tourism estate set within the natural grandeur of the northern part of El Nido, Palawan.

The 325-hectare estate may be 20 minutes away from the town proper, but there's no shortage of things to do and sights to see as it has its own beachside enclave of boutique hotels, retail and souvenir shops, bars and restaurants and an artisan village. It also serves as the perfect base for recreational activities both on land and water as it is bounded by its 4.5-kilometer beach on one side and majestic mountains on the other.

The newest addition to the green stays in Lio is Huni, a bed and breakfast hotel that was created with sustainability in mind. A brand developed by Ten Knots Development Corp., Huni is a Filipino word which means "hum of the sea." The sprawling property is no more than two stories high to further highlight its stunning setting of towering palm trees, turquoise waters fringed by ivory sand and dramatic silhouettes of karst cliffs beyond at sunset. Its 50 rooms are the epitome of sustainable style, with clean contemporary architectural lines and full-length glass doors that frame the natural surroundings on the other side.

Its green measures don't stop there. Huni has also eliminated the use of sachets and single-use plastics in its rooms and main dining facility. It has an e-jeep to shuttle guests during off-site tours, and bamboo bikes for rent should they wish to explore the estate at their own pace. The resort staff is mainly local and the ingredients are mostly sourced from local purveyors so you sleep happy knowing that your stay provides them with direct employment and income.

When in Lio, here are some activities worth including in your itinerary:

Food Crawl.

With 10 dining outlets and bars, it would be smart to dedicate at least half a day solely for exploring local eats. These neatly cover everything one may crave while on the island--from grilled meat and seafood to sweet and cold treats to beat the heat.

Kalye Artisano.

A one-stopshop for products handcrafted by local artisans, this artists' village also offers immersive workshops so visitors can interact with the community. Bamboo bikes are available for rent as well.

Night Scene.

Jungle Bar serves up sumptuous specialties that go beyond bar chows and these are best washed down with the bar's creative alcohol concoctions or better yet, Lambanog shots. There's also Manille Beach Bar which features the local craft spirits of Destilleria Limtauco and Co. Inc. The "Flight to Lio" is a crowd favorite, presentation and taste-wise.

Island hopping.

El Nido town may be the usual jump-off point for island hopping tours but Lio also has a jetty port so guests can charter a boat like the El Nido Yachting Club's catamaran. It can take you to Bacuit Bay's iconic Big and Small Lagoons, snorkeling sites and a private beach for lunch.

Scenic nature walks.

Whether beachside, around the estate or up Lio's 3.8-kilometer trail, the views are always rewarding. You might even encounter squirrels, Palawan Hornbills and other species of birds.

*Airswift has direct flights from Manila, Clark, Cebu, Boracay, Puerto Princesa, Busuanga and Panglao. For flight schedules, visit www.air-swift.com. *For Huni guests, an e-jeep transfer from Lio Airport Terminal will be provided. t

Fotos: Jethro Bautista and Benj Ramos