Tourism and Water: Assessing the Sustainability of Drinking Water Management Practices in Island Resorts in the Philippines

National University, Manila, Philippines

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Abstract

This study assessed the sustainability of drinking water management practices in island resorts in the Philippines, focusing on the links among drinking water treatment, water reuse and conservation, managerial decision factors, and overall sustainability performance. Using a descriptive-correlational design, data were obtained from resort managers, operations heads, and environmental officers through a validated survey. Findings revealed that resorts implement moderate levels of water treatment and conservation, reflecting growing environmental accountability within the hospitality sector. Correlation results showed weak but positive relationships among variables, while managerial decision factors emerged as the strongest driver of sustainability performance. The study highlights that leadership commitment, policy integration, and institutional governance play greater roles in achieving sustainable outcomes than technical measures alone. It contributes to sustainable tourism research by aligning resource systems and management theories and supports clean water and sanitation goals through advocacy for capacity building and policy collaboration.