Sharlyn May Nas

PALAWAN Palawan is a long and narrow large island in the south westernmost side of the Philippines and trends northeast southwest between the South China Sea and Sulu Seas. It has an area of 11,785 sq/km, a maximum width of 39 km, and a mountainous backbone that runs its entire 434km in length, with Mt Mantalingajan measuring 2,085 m high in the south as its highest peak. There are about 1,800 smaller islands and islets lie near Palawan ; the main island groups are the Calamian (north), Cuyo islands (northeast) and the Balabak-Bugsuk (south). Puerto Princesa, on the east central coast of the island, is the capital. Dubbed as the ‘Last Frontier’ of the Philippines, the island province of Palawan is home to numerous majestic tourist attractions as well as endless fun-filled outdoor recreational activities. In fact, the place is slowly gaining worldwide recognition for the unmatched beauty, splendor, and elegance of its well-preserved natural resources. Within this fascinating location, people can find amazing tourist spots, visit fascinating beaches, and attend super exciting festivals for unique and memorable experiences. Unique to Palawan is its mega-diversity. For a long time, Palawan's bountiful resources, abundant wildlife and extraordinary natural beauty are known only to the many ethnic communities that thrive in these islands and a few other daring settlers who wanted to live in unpolluted surroundings. The island-province first attracted foreign attention in the 1970's when it became a United Nations Vietnamese Refugee Center. At this time, a disturbance in Kenya also saw the transport of endangered animals from its savannas to the plains of Calauit Island. However, it was only a sea accident in 1979 that eventually led to the opening of Palawan into tourism big time.  As the story goes, a tuna line disabled a dive boat's propeller in the middle of the night forcing it to drop anchor in an inlet. The following morning, the divers woke up to an amazing scenery of skyscraping dark cliffs, thick green forest, white-sand beach, sparkling water and, rising above it, a series of magnificently sculpted jade islands. And thus was how El Nido was discovered. Ecology awareness is at a high level throughout the province. Puerto Princesa prides itself as the cleanest city in the Philippines. To protect its mega diversity, only eco-friendly programs are adhered to by tourist establishments. And there are strict ordinances against dynamite fishing, with only net and line fishing allowed. Palawan may have opened itself to tourism but it has also taken serious efforts to preserve this last frontier. Also, Palawan is a paradise, sanctuary to an amazing variety of fauna and flora found nowhere else in the world. It is blessed with incredibly awesome landscapes that astound even the most indifferent visitors. Palawan is the country’s biggest province and is composed of 1,768 islands and islets surrounded by a coral shelf with an exceptionally rich marine life. Its sleepy sloped mountains are canopied by broad virgin forests. An anchor tourist destination, Palawan is one of the 7, 000 times more islands that make up the Philippine archipelago. It is the perfect playground for the adventurous. History of Palawan One thousand years ago, Chinese traders named the island Pa Lao Yu, or land of beautiful safe harbor because of its many safe places to land their ships. This is where the relics of earliest settlers were found and have been unearthed and dated 22,000 years ago while its human habitation evidently proved about 50,000 years old. Some of the tribes known to inhabit the islands such as Batak, Palawan and Tagbanuas may be descendants of the early settlers, who came via ice-age land bridges and of later migrants who came on boats. They were followed in the 13th century by the Indonesians of Madjapahit Empire. During the arrival of the Spanish, Palawan was ruled by Borneo from Jolo. The Spanish first took over the northern part of the island and worked south from Cuyo and Taytay. The Spanish invaded Palawan in 18th century forcing the Sultan of Borneo to give up its full autonomy. From Taytay, the capital was moved to Puerto Princesa. There are numerous versions regarding the origin of the name Palawan. Another traces Palawan from the word "Palawas" an Indian word for territory. Other chronicles contend the province's name was derived from a plant called "Palawa". In 1903, pursuant to Act 1363 of the Philippine Commission, the province was officially named Palawan and the capital was transferred from Cuyo to Puerto Princesa. Today, Palawan is composed of 23 municipalities and one component city with a total area of 14,896.55 sq. km. Puerto Princesa, the province's capital was converted into city on January 1, 1970 under RA 5906, later amended by RA 6608. People and Population The growing population of Palawan has already reached about 737,000 people according to the data garnered from the 2000 census. A mixture of around eighty seven (87) racial and cultural groups resides throughout the province. And it is interesting to note that even though there are various groups of people living in the province with different cultural and racial values and beliefs, fortunately, the people all live in harmony. It may be inferred that this is because of their strong bond to their diverse culture which is influenced by other countries such as the Middle East, India and China. If you are to check relevant data, you would see that there are actually more migrants to the province from the Muslim Mindanao region. This contributes to the rising growth of the population, which grows to about 3.98 percent per year. But even though there are some migrants from these parts of the country of the Philippines, dominion of the population still rests with those residents who are naturally born in the province of Palawan. Meeting and staying (albeit for a few short weeks) with these different groups may be one of the best ways to get to know more about Palawan. Language Another natural way of getting to know more about Palawan is to learn about its mixture of interesting languages that are being used throughout the province. There is a rich and diverse form of language being used in Palawan. With its three main languages, which includes the Banggi language Molbog, Kalamian language Tagbanwa, and the Palawan Batak, there are a number of other languages that can be heard spoken by the people of this province. These three languages are included in the Palawano language, which is used by about 11.08 percent of the people. All in all, the number of languages and dialects in the land would total to about fifty (52), which also include Tagalog and English. However, Tagalog is spoken by a smaller percentage (about 28 percent) of the population. English, on the other hand, is being used throughout the land by many people of the province. Other languages used include the Ilonggo, Cuyonon, Tausug, Batak, and Kagayen. Tourists and their motivation for travel The major tourist origin markets are the USA, Japan, Asia and Europe with a total share of almost 90%. The percentage of female tourists to Palawan is relatively high compared with those to the Philippines in general. The main age group of travelers is young to middle-aged, with a relatively high educational level and income. The purpose of travel is mostly for pleasure and for a vacation. Domestic tourists are significantly different from foreign tourists in terms of purpose of travel and group size. They provide a relatively high percentage of business/convention trips and a larger group size. Escape, relaxation, and maintaining social contacts are some of the motivations for the travel of the tourists visiting Palawan. Destination Marketing Marketing is generally done through the internet if the members of the different associations have their websites as in the case of accommodations/hotels. For big hotels, like the Legend, there is even the Sales Blitz in the USA and London for balikbayans where the top brass of the hotel visit travel agencies abroad and host dinner or lunch for tourist associations of Filipinos staying abroad. Advertising through the newspapers is also resorted to. Others rely on the assistance they get from the City Tourism Council which they are a member of. The Council refers the accommodations/inns to the LGU (for Lakbay Aral) and includes them also in the annual expositions and exhibits conducted by the Council. During these exhibits, the ATTAPP members promote their services to the crowd. In the case of boat operators, they are allowed to display their brochures in places (hotels, inns, restaurants, etc) where they have tie up with. For its part, the City Tourism Office (CTO) participates in media blitz and Travel Mart Caravan to promote tourism in Palawan. The Office also participates in the annual convention of tourism officers of the Philippines. Recently and with the attention given to the Underground River to be included in the Seven New Wonders of Nature, the head of the office even went to Marawi City to promote the on-line voting. Some officials also make TV appearances. It is also a common practice of the Mayor to tender dinner or lunch with cultural show afterwards where tribal songs and dances are commonly featured. Tourism’s contribution to Palawan’s economy Clearly, tourism has such huge effect on Palawan’s economy, as we can see, majority of the businesses operating at the province is concerned with tourism, meaning a large part of the province’s generated income is from tourism itself. Tourism in Palawan is viewed by many of the industry players as “highly significant,” primarily because of its contribution to employment and revenue generation; employment for those directly engaged in the service industry in Palawan and revenue generation even to nearby provinces where those in the hotel business get their supply of some agricultural produce. In the words of DTI Regional Director for Region IV-B Joel Valera “the tourism industry in the region is rated as significant in the downstream where it is found to be contributing significantly to transportation, employment generation, hotel and restaurant business.” Tourism organizations operating at Palawan In order to deal with the interests of the tourism industry, there are at present four associations and six councils actively supporting the industry. These include the Association of Travel and Tours Operation in Puerto Princesa City and Palawan (ATTOP), Hotel and Restaurant Association of Palawan (HARAP), Hoteliers Association of Puerto Princesa City Inc., Palawan Tourguide Association (PATGA), Calamianes Association of Tourism Establishments (CATE), City Tourism Council, Palawan Tourism Council and four Municipal Tourism Councils for the municipalities of Taytay, El Nido, Narra and Quezon. Tourism Policy, Planning and Sustainable development The Provincial Tourism Office of Palawan in the Office of the Governor plays a key role in the development of the province’s tourism potentials. Through this office, the provincial government aggressively pursues tourism since it provides funds for projects supportive of the industry in the province. In recognition of what the council has been doing for tourism in the province, it received a DOT award in 2001 and 2002 as Best Tourism Council. Of late, however, the City Tourism Office which is under the Office of the Mayor is selling Puerto Princesa as a separate destination for Palawan. The advantage it sees in doing so is that Puerto Princesa alone already offers diverse attractions. There is medical tourism where there is hot springs near Honda Bay frequented by Koreans. There is even a Korean hot spring run by Koreans since at the present time the facilities of the city-run hot spring are being renovated. There is the Balon Pari in Barangay Inagawan where miraculous water is said to exist, the Honda Bay Island hopping since it is composed of 13 chartered islands/islets notable of which is Snake Island, a DENR protected area where one can swim and snorkel with fish and the Pambato Reef. The City Tourism Office has also developed its own tourist programs in support of the industry like its no tree-cutting program and just rely on neighboring provinces for its source of wood and its Strategic Environment Plan where every February 14, there is their Love Affair with Nature Festival where people are encouraged to plant mangrove and during the third Saturday of June, there is the Feast of the Forest, where people are encouraged to go to balding mountains to plant trees. A private organization that is also in the forefront in tourism activities in the city is the City Tourism Office which is linked to several industry players. The Department of Tourism allows the City Tourism Office under the Office of the Mayor to issue license to tour guides, renewable every year for a fee. The fee collected, in turn, is being used to upgrade the skills of the other stakeholders in the industry. The Annual Investment Program CY 2010 of the Province of Palawan spells out the support programs it is doing for the industry. The specific objectives of these programs are as follows. To promote the province as a tourist destination and investment area To increase tourist arrivals, length of stay an spending To accelerate the development of infrastructure support in identified tourism hubs To construct and/or rehabilitate roads and bridges leading to existing and target tourist destinations and attractions to make transport of visitors by land faster and more convenient To provide the enabling environment to further attract and expand private sector investments, especially in the identified tourism hubs and in potential tourism destinations. To develop affordable tour packages and programs that will link tourism hubs with their local destinations/attractions as well as provide a diverse mix of products for the enjoyment of tourists To develop the human resource to respond to the ever-changing needs of tourism industry To advocate a culture of tourism through information campaigns To showcase the ingenuity and entrepreneurship of the Palawenos and continually provide alternative livelihood and employment to host residents through community-based tourism. Other economic services provided by the provincial government in support of the industry are the following. To improve transportation linkages between and among municipalities province wide and enhance linkages with major urban centers outside of the province. To rehabilitate at least 2 percent of existing provincial roads and bridges To increase road density of the province form 0.387 to 0.372 kilometer per square kilometer To upgrade at least 4 municipal port facilities province wide To construct and/or upgrade other government ports and boat landings in strategic areas To upgrade at least 4 terminal sea port facilities in the province To upgrade at least 2 airport facilities in the province To establish and/or construct at least 1 airport in Northern Palawan and 1 in Southern Palawan. The City Tourism Council of Puerto Princesa, on the other hand, conducts two-day enhancement seminars for tour guides. A budget of P100,000 coming from the city government is appropriated for this. Likewise, the office is active in recognizing the PATGA and links it with other tourism associations in Puerto Princesa. Programs in support of the industry being implemented by the provincial government include the following: Travelmart ( a national gathering of those in business) where the provincial government share its booths with tourism stakeholders who are encouraged to put on display their brochures and flyers. Operating sectors conducting business at Palawan: Attraction and Entertainment Here’s a shortlist of some of the attractions in Palawan that tourist might want to visit: Irawan Crocodile Farming Institute This institute aims to preserve and further research studies on endangered species of crocodiles. Ursula Island Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary Situated near Brooke’s Point in the southern part of the province, the Ursula Island Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary features seedlings and tree saplings that is commonly present in lowland forests. At the place, tourists can follow the trails that lead to wells. For the comfort of guests, the place has nipa huts where they can relax. This tourist spot plays home to numerous grey Imperial pigeons. Fishermen also visit the place to catch different species of fish that they sell to locals and tourists. Palawan Butterfly Garden One of the most popular tourist destinations in the province is the Palawan Butterfly Garden. It is found at Santa Monica in the City of Puerto Princesa. The place is very famous because it features butterfly species that are native to the province. In addition, it plays home to butterflies that are seen in the different parts of Southeast Asia. Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center Another interesting and famous site to see in Puerto Princesa City is the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center. The place is also called as the Crocodile Farming Institute. The place is just an hour away from the city proper. The center was established to conserve the Crocodylus mindorensis and Crocodylus porosus. Tourists will not have problems about their budget when they visit the place because the admission fee to the center is only Php 60. Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm is a very popular tourist spot in Puerto Princesa City. The prison is distinct because minimum security inmates reside in dormitories and are not locked up in cells. The place was established to rehabilitate prisoners who were sentenced with minimum imprisonment. The inmates at the place make handicrafts and keepsakes that are offered to tourists for affordable prices. Archeological Exploration Going on an Archeological Exploration is one the must-try things to do in Palawan. Nothing can probably compare to the feeling and experience that you would get when you traverse the caves of Palawan. While some may feel apprehensive at first, this feeling would probably disappear once they go on this wonderful adventure to unearth different ancient things. As many would probably agree, this is the best of those numerous things to do in Palawan.  Wildlife Center When you’re planning on what to do in Palawan when you get there, be sure to write down visiting the Wildlife Center. The wildlife center in Palawan is a conservation area and tranquil sanctuary to different animals. You can find this when you go to the Calauit Island in Palawan. While others merely mention “Wildlife Center” when referring to this place, its actual name is the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center. Prior to being called as such, this used to be known to locals and visitors before as the Crocodile Farming Institute. Within its structures lie a mini-zoo and an animal hospital. It is usually open from Mondays to Fridays around 9 in the morning up to 12 noon; and on Saturdays from 1 to 5 in the afternoon. From the city proper, you may be able to reach this place after thirty to forty minutes of land travel by jeepney or tricycle.  Business Travel Palawan is also a great destination for a business travel, whether the purpose of travel is to gain profit or simply just to have a different ambiance, a company would certainly not regret choosing Palawan as a place to travel. Cultural and Heritage Tourism Cultural and Heritage tourism also takes place in Palawan, for the convenience of potential tourists here are some of the operating sectors that they might want to visit: Sta. Isabel Fort in Taytay Built in 1667 under the Augustinian Recollect Fathers, this fort was used as a military station during that period. The chapel and cannon are still intact to this day. Cuyo Fort in Cuyo Built during the early Spanish period to protect the people from their enemies, this is considered as one of the most ancient and unique forts in the Philippines. Port Miller & Light House Tower A historical landmark in Brooke’s Point, Port Miller is a cemented water tank constructed as a source of potable water for the natives and settler of the municipality. Melville Light House in Balabac A century-old facility which used to guide ancient marine vessels landward is still glowing after a hundred years. The Lighthouse has become a familiar landmark to the local folks. Palawan Puerto Princesa National Museum The Palawan Puerto Princesa National Museum is situated at the Old City Hall Building along Rizal Avenue in the City of Puerto Princesa. The place features several exhibits including the exhibit of archaeological collections, which include the materials used by ancestral man. Some of the archaeological evidences featured at the museum were collected from Tabon Caves. The operating hours of the museum is from nine in the morning until five in the afternoon. Palawan State College Museum Another interesting place to see in Palawan if you want to know the culture and heritage of people is the Palawan State College Museum. The site is not hard to find because it is situated just several minutes away from the city proper of Puerto Princesa. The museum features valuable artifacts that are related to the early people in the province. In addition, guests can see prehistoric diggings in the museum. Ecotourism Palawan: A Haven Far From the Madding Crowd I’ve never been to Palawan, but with all the facts that I have gathered front his research, I can say that this place might be one of the most beautiful, not only in the Philippines but also in the world. This place can be a haven for those people who want to escape the busy life of the city and just relax and get in touch with nature. With its incredibly astonishing seascapes, unbelievably beautiful landscapes and the elegance of its well-preserved natural resources, I can assure every tourist that traveling to this destination can be one of the most unforgettable trips they’ll have. The following are some of the sectors operating in Palawan that a tourist must include in their “where to go” list: St. Paul National Park Is Palawan's most popular attraction and covers 5,349 hectares of lush forest, dark mountains, caves and white beaches. In the deep recesses of the marble and limestone peaks of Mt. St. Paul flows the Underground River, said to be the longest in the world. It is easily navigable for at least four kilometers. The caves are filled with filigree-like sculptures formed by stalagmites and stalactites. Near its mouth is a beautiful lagoon with crystal-clear water that teems with fish. Also within the park is the Monkey Trail, a series of wooden paths that winds into the forest where monkeys, squirrels, lizards and some 60 species of birds are found. The Park is inscribed in the World Heritage List. El Nido Marine Reserve in Miniloc Island Occupying an area of 96,000 hectares, this popular nature boasts of diverse ecosystems such as rainforest, mangroves, white sand beaches, coral reefs, and limestone cliffs. It is now one of the country’s premier destinations. El Nido is the sanctuary for various forms of wildlife. El Nido Dive Center found inside the Lagen Island Resort in El Nido. The services offered at this establishment include rentals of scuba diving gears and equipment as well as divemaster assistance. Boat trips and island cruises are also offered. When it comes to programs, the dive center offers basic and advanced scuba diving courses. To enroll in the courses, your budget should be between Php 2,000 to Php 30,000. Dive Right Diving Center If you want to experience a remarkable diving sessions at Busuanga Island, Dive Right Diving Center offers affordable diving packages to everyone. Aside from scuba diving, the establishment also features other exciting activities like coral reef snorkeling, wreck snorkeling, wreck diving and underwater photography. Aside from these, guests can enjoy sea kayaking, boating, nitrox diving, hiking and fishing. Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park Indeed, Palawan sightseeing offers tours to several national parks and marine reserves. You should definitely visit the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park. This offers a view of a fairly unique evolving ecosystem. You will see several rare species of plants and animals. You can tour the park’s river and see the rare geological formations. You can reach this park through a short trail from Sabang. Palawan is truly blessed with abundant sights and sounds to fill your senses. It is the perfect place to go to if you are in dire need of fun and relaxation because there are just so many wonderful things to see. The list includes: Caluit Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary Dugong Dive Center Abc Dive Coron Club Noah Dive Center Evergreen Diving Center Last Frontier Dive Lally & Abet Beach Dive Resort Ocean Quest Dive Center Seadog Divers Rocksteady Dive Center Queen Anne Divers Distribution Organization Sales is an example of distribution, Palawan is not only the perfect vacation spot but also provides tourists with an opportunity to indulge in the islands shopping sites. As many as the tourist destinations in Palawan, there is also a wide range of shopping options. Palawan boasts of numerous shopping stores, stalls, and arcades found in the heart of its resorts destinations. Among the most popular items being bought in the island are shellcrafts, fashion jewelries, fruits, woodcarvings and local handicrafts. The Iwahig Pearl Farm is home to hand-made items and woodcarvings manufactured by the prisoners Lodging and Restaurants With the huge influx of local and foreign tourists in the area, the food service industry in Palawan continues to blossom big time. With these fine establishments around, people can find numerous outstanding food variations that include delectable cuisines, super enticing delicacies, as well as other great-tasting treats. Palawan is not only a place for immersing with nature; it is also a perfect venue for some enjoyable food tripping. Hence, to top off one’s relaxing vacation in Palawan, Bilao at Palayok Seafood and Native Restaurant Bilao at Palayok Seafood and Native Restaurant is one of the most frequented stopovers in Palawan. This restaurant offers the classic Filipino dining experience as it has a country-style ambience complete with bamboo cottages. Guests can sit inside the cottages for a more private setting and enjoy Palawan’s cool, fresh air. The restaurant specializes in grilled Filipino dishes, mostly pork, seafood and chicken. The price of the budget meals in the restaurant cost around 70 to 80 pesos, while meals for more than two persons cost 150 to 500 pesos, depending on the serving size. This restaurant is a perfect ambience for family and friends who want to experience a country-style dining at affordable rates. Café Arturo Café Arturo is a family-owned restaurant that serves international and Filipino dishes. This restaurant is known for its friendly staff and its very hands-on owners, which are sure to provide you with warm hospitality. Café Arturo boasts of many delectable dishes including the lobster thermidore and the crab cooked with butter and garlic sauce. Meals are more expensive than average since prices start at 150 pesos. However, guests are sure to enjoy their meals inside the restaurant where they are met with Palawan’s fresh air provided by the restaurant’s picturesque garden. Ka Lui Restaurant Ka Lui Restaurant is a quaint, nature-inspired restaurant frequented by locals and regular tourists. Guests dine at Ka Lui while enjoying the picturesque landscape of the mini-waterfalls and the gardens outside the restaurant. Ka Lui offers only seafood dishes ranging from lobster to tuna. Desserts offer a native theme as they are composed of fruits, coconut and native rice cakes. Visitors are asked to remove their footwear and enter the restaurants barefooted, and courtesy might compel one to do so. However, the restaurant exudes a clean and peaceful vice with its cool bamboo interiors and tranquil environment. Meals are affordable given the quality of food and service, as price ranges from 100 to 150 pesos. Other restaurants operating in Palawan are: Kamarikutan Kape and Galeri Balay Tubay Balinsasayaw Grill Cashew Bar and Restaurant Squido’s Tom Tom Club Bistro Cabalen Bulwagang Princesa Restaurant Haim Chicken Inato Balsahan Natural Pool Ayette's Bamboo House Restaurant Ditchay Blueazul Restaurant The Lotus Garden Artcafe Taraw Vista Lodge & Restaurant La Senerita Kinabuchs Amphibi-ko Vietville Restaurant As one of the top tourist destinations in the country, Palawan always makes sure that the tourists and guests within the area are well-accommodated and taken care of. In recent years, the tourism industry in the island province of Palawan continuously blossoms, thanks to the development of the place particularly the construction of majestic, luxurious, and world-class hotels and resorts all over the region. These high-quality hospitality service providers offer the grandest accommodations, competent services, as well as highly affordable prices for everyone. At present the province has a total of 146 tourism related establishments offering different levels of accommodation. As of June 1999 there were six hotels, 69 inns/lodges/pension (most of these are located in Puerto Princesa City), 49 beach resorts/cottages (the majority are operating in the City of Puerto Princesa), 18 island resorts and four special interest resorts operating in Northern Palawan where most marine resources are. There is a total of 1800 rooms with a capacity of two to four person/room. The average length of stay is approximately four days and average expenditure per day is estimated to be P 1816.00. In 1998 the income derived from tourists was estimated to P-. Amanpulo Resort Known for its wonderful surroundings and scenic views, Amanpulo Resort is located at Pamalican Island in the province of Palawan. Above all, this luxurious resort features exclusive topnotch hotel amenities like the Sea Sport Hut, Lagoon Club, and Beach Club. In addition, the place also has a huge swimming pool and excellent dining facilities like the Restaurant and Clubhouse Bar. For only $550 to $2,500, tourists and guests can experience the adventure of a lifetime at this outstanding hotel and beach resort. Some of the best accommodations available include Treetop Casitas, Hillside Casitas, and Beach Casitas. For bigger spaces, they must try Deluxe Hillside Casitas, Garden Villas, as well as Beach Villas. Legend Hotel Situated within Puerto Princesa City in the province of Palawan, Legend Hotel is a top-rating hospitality service provider that features outstanding modern amenities like scenic elevators, a comprehensive fitness center, as well as a beautiful swimming pool. In addition, the place also offers function rooms specifically designed to hold huge gatherings and other special events like weddings, business meetings, and even conferences. Basic rates start from as low as $50 to as high as $100, which include nice room varieties like Standard Rooms, Deluxe Rooms, and Suites. All of these units are comprised of excellent in-room amenities such as Internet connections, newspapers, air-condition systems, as well as cable television sets. Hotel Fleuris Found along Lacao Street in the progressive City of Puerto Princesa, Hotel Fleuris offers tourists and guests a very nice, safe, and convenient place to stay while exploring the various sights and sounds of Palawan. Inside the place, people can find all-important hotel facilities like a swimming pool, a business center, and a courtyard pool. In terms of food, this extremely fine hotel features a sushi bar and restaurant that serves delectable and authentic Japanese delicacies. Rates for the rooms usually range from $75 to $100, including standard rooms and suites. Basic room features include hot and cold shower fixtures, cable television sets, as well as IDD/NDD telephone lines. Moana Hotel If you budget is between Php 850 to Php 1,250, then one of the hospitality service providers to visit is the Moana Hotel at Rizal Avenue Extension in Puerto Princesa City. A relaxing activity that you can enjoy while staying at the hotel is scuba diving. This establishment offers rentals of diving equipment like the fins full foot, snorkel and mask, full tank and wet suit. Other services include land and boat transfers as well as island tours. Some of the nearby tourist destinations are the Honda Bay, the Coral Bay and the Tubbataha Reef. Dolce Vita Hotel & Restaurant One of the homey and most inviting hotels in Puerto Princesa City, Dolce Vita Hotel and Restaurant has comfortable and relaxing guestrooms. All the rooms in the place are air-conditioned. The amenities in the hotel include cable television, a private bath and a terrace. To be relaxed, guests can take a dip at the hotel’s well-maintained swimming pool. In terms of dining, the hospitality service provider has an in-house restaurant that serves Filipino, Thai and Italian dishes. If you want to stay at this place, you need to have a budget of Php 2,500 to Php 3,500. List of operating lodging business includes: Asturias Hotel Coco Loco Island Resort Sea Dive Resort Summerhomes Beach Resort Princessa Holiday Resort Dolarog Beach Resort Tropical Sun Inn Hillside Resort Coral Bay Resort Palawan’s Future and its benefit to the community Although Palawan is gaining popularity for its magnificent beauty, rich culture, and amazing ecology there are still so many things remained unexplored. If the marketing of this destination continues to succeed, it is likely for this province to gain more profit, generate more jobs for their community and become more widely known. Problem created by tourist The number of tourist arriving at this province keeps on getting higher every year, which results with continuous development of the province. The major concern here is that the island might lose its natural beauty and become overdeveloped, and people might forget to care and preserve the natural resources that Palawan has to offer. Possible Solution The government cannot create a law limiting the number of tourists visiting this place because it would affect not only Palawan’s economy but as well as the economy of our country. From my own point of view, what they can do is that they can create rules and regulations that can protect and preserve that natural beauty of the place, rules such as proper waste management and limitations for the development that a sector can conduct. Simply creating rules like these is not enough, the government should also pay attention regarding the strict implication of those rules that they have created. Conclusion Palawan is such a magnificent place that can take away the breath of the people that sees it. Visiting this province would not only provide us pleasure and relaxation, it would also open our eyes to the kind of beauty our country pertains. Recommendation It is concluded that tourism development in Northern Palawan can provide a good opportunity to promote sustainable development. The public sector needs to take the initiative on development of the basic infrastructure. Local manpower needs to be developed to capture the benefits of tourism development. Local government and communities need to be involved in the process of planning, investment, operation and management. And mobilization of the private sector for investment and development is required. References: Tourism stakeholders perspective (NHTV master programme Tourism destination management) Ecotourism in Palawan : A Case Study by Nelson Palad Devanadera Principles of Tourism, Part I, Revised Edition by Zenaida L. Cruz, Ph.D. Palawan Board : The Final Frontier of the Philippines Tourism Industry Cluster, Research Work of Michelle Salvador, 4th yr. BS Tourism Management Student Imus Institute Philippine Island Tourism, 2nd semester Research Paper of Marilou Olique, BS Tourism Management Student Tourism Opportunities, 2007 Term Paper of Czarrah Reyes for the subject Principles of Tourism taken at Imus Institute http://www.tourism-master.nl/theses/Palawan_A4formaat.pdf www.visitmyphilippines.com www.wowphilippines.com.ph http://www.palawan.gov.ph/soservices.php -Official Website of the Provincial Government of Palawan Republic of the Philippines Cavite State University College of Business and Entrepreneurship Imus, Cavite Research Paper in Principles of Tourism 2 Submitted by: John Paul E. Dayawon Submitted to: Ms Lyneth Bawag Instructor, BTRM2