Palawan ‘turtle sanctuary’: Nominee in ‘World Luxury Hotel’ awards

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1046193
• Thursday, September 6, 2018

By Celeste Anna Formoso (PNA)

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- The Arena Island Turtle Sanctuary (AITS) in the municipality of Narra in southern Palawan has been nominated again for the 12th Annual World Luxury Hotel Awards 2018.

The international luxury hotel search gives awards and celebrates service excellence, bringing confidence and status to industry players, which are voted for by the public across 99 different categories.

The turtle sanctuary resort is located on a four-hectare island area in Narra, which is home to more than 16,000 hatchlings that have been released into the sea, said campaigner Carmelo Cortes.

Arena is nominated under the category of Luxury Private Island Resort.

“Arena Island Turtle Sanctuary Resort ensures a safe place, turtle hatchling survival has increased from 5 to 90 percent, it is a resort that educates the guests by allowing them to release turtles into the sea with supervision,” Cortes said.

Designed as an eco-tourism destination in southern Palawan by the Narra municipal tourism office, Arena contributes to the “green print” through its commitment to preserve and conserve the sea turtles (pawikan).

It espouses sustainable practices, providing modern amenities made with careful thought for the environment.

Last year, the turtle sanctuary island was also nominated in the Luxury Private Island Resort (regional level) and Luxury Honeymoon Resort (country level) categories.

World Luxury Hotel Awards was established in 2006 and has more than 90 award categories, which over 300,000 international travelers are voting for each year.

Arena Island Turtle Sanctuary Resort won the Luxury Honeymoon Resort and Luxury Private Island Resort awards in 2017.