Case Study: Nickelodeon Underwater Resort in Coron, Palawan

Questions:

1. What could have caused the outcry for the cancellation of Nickelodeon’s
underwater-themed resort project?
2. What possible problems would the resort have caused to the environment if it
were continued and allowed to operate?
3. What possible alternatives could have been proposed to develop tourism in
Coron?

ANSWERS

1. Environmentalists said the planned resort on Palawan island would damage the
area's world-famous marine ecosystem. The island is home to some of the most
diverse coastlines in South East Asia. An online petition calling for the project to
be scrapped attracted more than 260,000 signatures. Viacom International Media
Networks, which owns Nickelodeon, said: "[Viacom] and Nickelodeon will no
longer be involved with this proposed development". They added that the
decision was "mutually agreed" with its Philippine partner, Coral World Park. It
provoked a backlash from conservation groups, who call Palawan island the
Philippines' "last ecological frontier" because of its relatively untouched
coastlines and forests.

2. Building artificial structures underwater will undeniably damage and disrupt

Palawan's marine ecosystems. The project will not cause irreparable damage to
Coron’s marine ecosystem, particularly its coral reefs. The proposed structure
could also have negative environmental impacts. “There are at least two coral
species in Coron and Busuanga that are globally endangered,” said Dr. Wilfredo
Licuanan, coral reef scientist. “The proposed structure could restrict access of
local people to marine resources, affect other marine habitats such as seagrass
meadows and mangrove forests, and affect ecosystem services that they
provide.”

3. I focus on activities other than organised tours. The true is that visiting Coron, the
most beautiful is the island hopping tour where you can see the Twin Lagoon or
Kayangan Lake. However, Coron is not just that, as the Busuanga Island (with
Coron town) is also worth discovery. You can see few interesting places on the
island, the best beach without taking a boat, support local communities and learn
about the native people life. If you are not a big fan of tours and want to discover
the island by yourself, this responsible guide to Coron (Busuanga) is definitely for
you. Maintain natural cycles in marine-coastal ecosystem and their influence in
global climate change. Preserve the destination attraction that prompted tourist to
visit them in the first place. Achieve efficiency and savings in business operating
activities ECOnomic and ECOlogical. Maintain destination quality and
competitiveness. Protect and conserve biodiversity as legacy for future
generations.