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IN APRIL, the resort island of Boracay officially closed off to tourists to allow for a six-month-long restoration project.
Boracay, with its pristine white sand beaches and crystal blue waters, sees an estimated US$772.5 million in revenue every year.
Considered as one of the Southeast Asian country’s major tourist destinations, it attracts approximately two million annual visitors, close to half of which are foreigners.
Boracay is especially popular with Chinese and South Korean tourists.
The closure led to airline companies such as AirAsia suspending all flights to the destination, offering instead other alternatives and service recovery options. Hotels and resorts on the island scrambled to attend to guests with affected bookings.
The hiatus also affected restaurants, cafes, vendors, and other businesses on the island.
Source: Shutterstock.
Two issues that are being addressed in Boracay’s rehabilitation are the setting up of sewage treatment plants for hotels and proper relocation sites for illegal wetland occupants, according to Rappler.
However, the rehabilitation period will soon come to an end and Boracay will once again be ready to receive tourists in October.
The Philippine Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) confirmed visitors will be able to enjoy a “Better Boracay” on Oct 26, 2018.
DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu, who is in charge of the Save Boracay Task Force (SBTF), said he will make sure that each beach resort on Boracay maintains its own sewage treatment plant.
Task force officials will ensure strict enforcement of environmental laws once the establishments resume operation.
Source: Shutterstock.
Meanwhile. the Philippine Department of Tourism has vowed to do its part to sustain Boracay’s rehabilitated state.
“We need to strike a balance between nurturing our natural endowments like Boracay and sourcing our people’s livelihood off them,” PDOT Secretary Bernadette-Romulo-Puyat said, stressing the need for environmental protection and a sustainable and inclusive tourism program.
“The task force will see to it that only compliant establishments will be open for business to ensure that our guests will get the world class service they deserve,” said Puyat.
The post The Philippines promises a ‘Better Boracay’ in October appeared first on Travel Wire Asia.
Source: travelwireasia.com