Title: Benchmarking Resort Complex in the Philippines: A Basis for Sustainable Resort Framework

Transcription

1 Title: Benchmarking Resort Complex in the Philippines: A Basis for Sustainable Resort Framework Keywords: all-inclusive resort complex, self-contained resort complex, sustainable resort framework Introduction The term sustainable has begun to be in used in the 60s or 70s. However, this term has been more defined during the publication of Our Common Future in 1987 as a result of the Brundtland Commission. Brundtland Commission defines sustainable development as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. (WCED, 1987). With 300,000 shoreline, the Philippines has myriad of beaches to showcase. Thus, the thousands of resorts springing from one coast to another. Figure 1. Russian Doll Model of Sustainable Development No subsystem can expand beyond the capacity of the total system of which it is a part (Porritt, n.d.). This is the root of the Russian Doll Model shown in Figure one. It has clearly shown that the economy could only expand within the scope of its society, and the society, likewise, could only expand within the realm of its environment. It has been since 1980s that companies have begun showing interest in the ethical standards of businesses. They are being encouraged to take responsibilities towards the environment most seriously for three (3) reasons: if they destroy the environment, the future of their business is in jeopardy; if they do not act voluntarily, government may need to regulate their activities; and, they have a broader responsibilities to the society to be good neighbors (Swarbrooke, 1999).

2 Though this has still been the case until today, there has been low participation from private companies in the Philippines. Sustainability and the concept of green has just been a marketing stand point for most if not compelled by local ordinances or required accreditation. This study proposes a framework that could be utilized to formulate standards and guidelines for more sustainable resort operations applicable to the Philippine context and setting. Literature Review The main criticism of all-inclusive resort complexes is that they greatly reduce the spin-off benefits of tourism for local business. This might either not allow small new business to spring out or worse kill the small enterprises that were present. Since the all-inclusive package tends to include all meals, drinks, entertainment and all or most sporting activities, tourist then do not need to spend money on dining out in local restaurants, drinking in bars and water-sport activities. Compared to a tourist on a bed and breakfast package, the all-inclusive package could deprive the local traders. Multiplying this by the number of tourists means the growth of all-inclusive resorts could be costing local communities as much as several millions per annum. This could be enough to send local enterprises to bankruptcy (Swarbrooke, 1999). Swarbrooke (1999) opined that the fact that tourists know everything is paid for may encourage them to eat and drink too much. This could lead to bad behaviour influenced by over-indulgence in alcohol. Once they have paid for everything that is delivered on site, there is often also a reluctance to leave the complex which reduces contact between host and guests. The all-inclusive concept can also make the resort complex themselves too complacent because they already have the tourists money and do not go off and spend their money elsewhere in the area. This can therefore result in poor quality standards in relation to food, for example. All-inclusive resort complexes are good news for their operators. They can help rejuvenate an existing establishment by allowing it to gain a share of this growing market. The concept also makes financial planning easier because the operator knows how many meals they will need to make and can estimate the demand for drinks. This should minimize wastage and help with the cash flow situation. From the tourists point of view, the all-inclusive concept is very attractive, hence its growing popularity in the market place. The tourist knows, in advance, exactly how much their holiday will cost. They do not, therefore, have to worry about overspending. At the same time, it takes away the need to take cash or credit cards with them, which may make them more relaxed and reduce their fear of being robbed. While all-inclusive complexes, in general, reduce the demand for the service of local small enterprises, they can bring great benefits to local traders who supply the resort complex, by giving them guaranteed business (Swarbrooke, 1999). Methodology Descriptive method of research is done in this study. Case study approach was utilized to benchmark and to get the best practices of the different resorts all over the country. The top two resort complexes in the Philippines were used as key resource, and the other best practices of the

3 smaller resorts are collated to draft a more comprehensive and exhaustive list of sustainable practices. In-depth key informant interview is conducted to selected resort complexes in the Philippines. Non-probability purposive sampling was done and snowball sampling was employed to gain more interviewees. Data are analyzed through thematic clustering. Categories that could be classified under a sustainable development dimension are grouped together to create a clear operational standards for a sustainable resort in the Philippines as guided by the minimum quality standards and guidelines set by the National Tourism Organization (NTO) and international factors. Data was validated through a post-data analysis interview that verifies the results of the study. The limitation of the data verification is the availability of the respondents for another interview. Not all of the key informants were met for the validation. Results and Discussion Combining the different standards proposed by different entities. The main output of this study is to propose a framework that would be useful in organizing sustainable all-inclusive and / or selfcontained resort complexes in the Philippines. Concepts from ASEAN Integration, Local tourism standards (Department of Tourism, etc), local and national legislation and ordinances, and national and international accreditation bodies (ISO Environmental Management System) were interlinked that has provided the framework its body. The underlying construct is the best practices of different resort complexes all over the country that shows sustainable practices following the Russian doll model that dealt with the three dimensions of sustainable development environmental, socio-cultural, and economic. Figure 2. Integrated Resort Framework

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