One of the most visited and beautiful islands of the Philippines, Boracay was closed for environmental rehabilitation and redevelopment on April, 26th. Though the process is still underway, the previously announced six month rehabilitation period is coming to the end and the authorities have confirmed there is no intention to prolong it.
While tourists can plan their trips to the island from the end of October, the situation with local operators remains unclear. Only those who fully comply with the environmental laws will be permitted to open their businesses. In effect it means that over half of the current businesses risk to remain closed as currently only 30% of total of about 1000 establishments including hotels, restaurants and other service providers are rated as compliant with the regulations.
Boracay is one of the major tourist destinations in the country with a lion's share of island-hoppers making it their island of choice in the Philippines. In 2017 over two million tourists visited Boracay what accounts to 34% of the total number of tourists arrivals in the Western Visayas. The six months closure of Boracay resulted in about 18-20 billion loss of potential receipts and 36,000 lost job for the locals.
Boracay Island's Reopening Date Is Confirmed
News in Asia
Put Boracay, the Philippines, back on your travel bucket lists: the Department of Tourism has announced the reopening date for the island: it can be visited again from October, 26th this year.