By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
Boracay was closed for a full six months of environmental rehabilitation due to severe pollution caused by overdevelopment. Starting at the end of April 2018, it was completely shut down for redevelopment and ecological restoration. Recently, the Philippine government finally announced that Boracay will reopen on October 26, 2018, allowing foreign tourists to visit. However, to protect the hard-won restored environment of Boracay, the Philippine government has established several regulations to strictly control activities on the island.
Boracay Reopening Comes With Five Major Restrictions (Photo / Philippine Tourism)
1. Water and beach activities are prohibited
The Philippine Tourism Office in Taiwan stated that to protect Boracay's environment, all water and beach activities are temporarily banned. This includes parasailing, banana boat rides, island hopping, jet skiing, and more. Parties on the beach are also not allowed, though indoor events in island facilities are permitted.
2. Littering is prohibited, with jail time as the severest penalty
The Philippine government worked hard to clean up Boracay after its severe pollution. They absolutely will not allow any trash to appear on the beaches again. Therefore, littering by locals or tourists is banned. Violators will face fines and community service ranging from 8 to 16 hours, and serious offenders may even be jailed.
Strict enforcement of Boracay restrictions begins after reopening on October 26 (Photo / Philippine Tourism)
3. Strict plastic ban enforcement
After reopening, hotels, resorts, and restaurants on Boracay are prohibited from providing single-use plastic products, such as utensils or plastic bags. Businesses that violate these rules will be fined, warned, and have all their plastic items confiscated. Repeat offenders may face closure. Therefore, visitors should bring their own eco-friendly bags and utensils when traveling to Boracay.
4. Visitor numbers are controlled, and only compliant hotels can operate
To protect the precious environment, visitor numbers will be controlled after reopening. Additionally, of the more than 10,000 hotels and guesthouses originally on Boracay, only half currently meet regulatory standards and have been permitted to reopen by the government. Tourists planning to visit Boracay soon are advised to check online which hotels and guesthouses are open.
Don’t ruin the hard-won restored natural environment for temporary convenience or selfishness (Photo / It’s More Fun in the Philippines)
Although there are many restrictions after Boracay’s reopening, they are necessary for the sustainable management of this precious destination. Let’s not let human selfishness and carelessness destroy nature’s beauty again. Visitors planning to go to Boracay should check the current regulations carefully before traveling—to protect both themselves and the environment.
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