The Shock Closure of Boracay – One of the World’s Best Islands

Authored by Diane Wuthrich (Contributor) 

Boracay is the Philippines’ number one tourist destination.

This island paradise has garnered international recognition for its beauty and has been named part of Travel and Leisure’s “world’s best islands” lists for two years.

I was lucky enough to grow up in the Philippines, an archipelago of over 7,000 islands. My childhood summers were always at the beach, and this upbringing instilled in me an intense yearning for tropical life even well into my adulthood. I’ll never forget my first trip to Boracay – my first year of college, and my best friend and I took a journey to the island to celebrate our first summer off university.

I remember being captivated by the blinding white sand, the most beautiful crystal clear turquoise waters I’ve ever seen. It was nothing like any other beach I’ve been to in the country.

I was in love.

I loved Boracay for its beach and the experience it offered me as a visitor. There are great restaurants, shopping, vibrant nightlife right by the sea, and calm waters that refresh you no matter how hot Philippine summers get.

Once I graduated from college, I received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: my first job would take me to Boracay island, but this time as a resident, not a traveller. I landed a sweet gig as a sales and marketing assistant for a travel company based out of Boracay and stayed for a year. Even if island fever occasionally got me down, nothing on this earth could compare to living on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. I made lifelong friends, and I was living a dream!

After that stint, I committed to visiting Boracay as often as possible, making the pilgrimage almost every year. It felt like a necessary tradition that I had to do. Pay homage to the beautiful island that feels like home.

Unfortunately, over the years, I’ve witnessed Boracay succumb to over-development. At one point, during peak season, I even experienced TRAFFIC on Boracay. Yes – traffic during rush hour. Bumper-to-bumper tricycles are on the only main road that runs on the island. I started to notice that there was significantly less free land. Accommodations of all kinds were popping up in every space imaginable.

And finally, I saw the sewage problem for myself. Pipes are leaking out onto Bulabog Beach and Station 2 of Boracay.

It was disheartening.

That never deterred me from visiting time and again. I had faith the locals would fix it up despite the bureaucracy we are subject to in the Philippines.

But now, we are faced with the worst solution possible to the environmental crises of Boracay. Too much, too late.

 

 

Closure of Boracay

Effective April 26, 2018, the closure of Boracay will commence for a rehabilitation period of 6 months as per the order of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

This announcement was made just a few weeks ago, giving Boracay locals less than six months to decide where they will work, live, and how they will earn a living. This is unsurprising, considering our president’s infamous iron fist and abrupt decision-making style. Last February 9, he called Boracay a “cesspool”, which followed a handful of closed-door meetings with a complete lack of transparency, which the locals needed.

President Duterte’s decision was met with a lot of emotion from both the public and private sectors: a handful of business owners are enraged that their businesses will be shut down without warning and even demolished despite not violating any laws; many tourists have to deal with cancelled flights and hotel bookings; but the worst affected are the stakeholders directly involved with Boracay’s tourism industry – employees of all levels who will no longer have any job yet the government has no backup plan of any sort. Durterte says he will turn Boracay into agricultural land – crazy as that sounds, we never know what his next move will be.

I can’t help but feel affected by these changes. Boracay, as we know it, will never be the same again. I feel for the 36,000 people who will lose their jobs. Still, the local government units need to be more accountable for the PhP 56 billion in tourist revenues – where has it been going, the environmental fees and taxes that we pay every time we go to the island?

What will happen after the six-month closure of Boracay? Nobody knows. We can only hope and pray for the best.

 

 

 

Lessons Learn in Boracay Tourism

The Philippines is blessed with many world-class tourist destinations, including stunning islands that attract visitors from all over the globe. While these islands possess undeniable charm, the local tourism industry must continually strive for improvement. Take, for instance, the painful lessons learned from Boracay, which serve as a noteworthy cautionary tale for other destinations.

In exploring the topic further, it becomes evident that there are numerous valuable insights the Philippines could glean from Thailand. Despite sharing similar natural attractions and pristine beaches, the Thais appear to understand better what it truly takes to safeguard and preserve these treasures.

The Thai islands have become ingrained in the collective consciousness of backpackers and tourists alike, solidifying their status as a must-visit through their portrayal in the renowned film The Beach.

 

 

 

 

Add Maya Bay to the list of closures.

Maya Bay, a tiny beach only accessible by boat, is one of the most popular attractions in Thailand. But receiving over 4,000 tourists daily has done considerable damage to Maya Bay’s ecosystem, prompting Thai officials to call for a closure of the island from June 1 to September 30. However, such decisions were carefully considered, and discussions included all stakeholders, including the private sector, academics, and the government.

Maya Bay will be closed briefly to allow the island’s marine life to heal. The coral reefs of Maya Bay have suffered the most, mainly because of the boats parked right above them.

Thailand was able to nip the problem in the bud. Meanwhile, too much is being done in the Philippines – drastic measures too late.

 

Now that Boracay Has Reopened – Check Out the New Status of the Philippine Islands!