BY NYARIKA DOMANAIS
AKLAN – Boracay Island welcomed a total of 807,184 tourists from January 1 to May 15 this year, according to the Malay Tourism Office.
Of these, 601,149 were domestic travelers while 9,754 were overseas Filipinos and 196,226 were foreign visitors.
Data from the first five months of 2024 indicated that Korean nationals led the number of foreign visitors, followed by Chinese and American tourists.
The local government of Malay, which oversees Boracay, aims to exceed its annual target of 2.3 million tourist arrivals.
Boracay is renowned for its pristine white beaches and vibrant nightlife. The island is accessible via flights to Caticlan or Kalibo airports, followed by a brief boat ride.
Just recently, the Regional Development Council (RDC) acknowledged that while the surge in tourist arrivals in Boracay may have brought positive economic benefits, this has breached the island’s limit to accommodate travelers. It warned of negative impacts including environmental degradation, strain on infrastructure, and even local communities.
But limiting the number of tourists entering Boracay remains a challenge, the RDC admitted.
In 2018, then President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the island closed to tourists for six months for a comprehensive cleanup and rehabilitation. Beaches and waterways were cleaned, illegal structures were demolished, and waste management systems were improved.
The rehabilitation of Boracay was envisioned to ensure the island is a secure, globally competent, and world-class tourism destination with a vibrant, productive, and climate-resilient economy. Enforcement of environmental laws and government regulations was strengthened by implementing the 30-meter easement from the shoreline. Commercial establishments and households were also compelled to comply strictly with the provisions of the Clean Clear Act and the Solid Waste Management Act.
The rehabilitation also included efforts to regulate tourist activities, such as limiting the number of visitors and implementing stricter environmental regulations.
However, the RDC stressed that compliance with the carrying capacity limits for small island destinations with tourism potential remains challenging.
Citing a study commissioned by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the council said data showed Boracay can accommodate a maximum of 19, 215 tourists per day, or about 6, 405 arrivals per day based on an average three-day visit./PN
