Boracay – FAQ.ph

Boracay Dubbed One of TIME’s 50 World’s Greatest Places of 2022

July 25, 2022 By FAQ Leave a Comment

It has already been said before, and possibly many times over since—Boracay is one of the hottest destinations in the Philippines. While access to this beautiful island has been temporarily cut off from tourists following the previous administration’s rehabilitation campaign on the area that lasted for several months, momentarily earning the title “Paradise Lost,” not to mention the recent onset of the pandemic that closed the area for its potential to draw the crowd. But the landmass that is known for its fantastic white sand beaches and milieu of clear seawaters easily rebounded from its temporary seclusion—eventually emerging as one of TIME Magazine’s 50 World’s Greatest Places in 2022.

So, yes, Boracay’s path to healing as a result of human pollution may have exceeded the anticipated months-long government-imposed recuperation because of the arrival of COVID-19, stretching its significant isolation to nearly three years. Quite a long time even for avid travelers to consider other more accessible places over it—to which there are plenty all over the world. But with this absence comes the makeover that makes the famously amazing atoll spotless as it originally was. Via TIME, there had been reports from locals stating that Boracay has now a renewed set of flora and fauna, especially sea turtles.

However, while it takes someone who already loves Boracay, be it the locals or tourists, to not ever forget its existence, it is more so for the Department of Tourism (DOT) whose task is to promote the country its tourist-worthy destinations, like Boracay.

Acknowledging TIME’s inclusion of Boracay in its campaign, DOT Secretary was quoted as saying—”The DOT affirms its pride and honor as Boracay Island once again proved its allure as a tourist haven. Such recognition will surely help us attain our goal of regaining our position in the global market.”

Further, “Surely, the Philippines has a multitude of sites and tourism activities that we could offer to the world. And, in addition to natural resources, we look forward as well to developing and promoting the talents of our people and the products that have the potential for national and global marketability.”

Although Boracay’s inclusion in the list was largely owed to its natural beauty, other places to join the roster also included settlements, but are nevertheless worthy of people’s admiration in one way or another, such as the capital cities of South Korea and Qatar.

Want to experience Boracay in all its revamped beauty? Why not book a Boracay tour package, now while you’re at it?

Why Boracay Is Closed for Tourism: Everything You Need to Know

September 10, 2018 By FAQ Leave a Comment

The Philippines has a lot to offer when it comes to the best travel destinations around the world. The island of Boracay, for instance, has been a popular travel spot for beach bums, party-lovers, and travelers who want to have fun under the sun.

However, recent announcements from the country’s president himself shocked local and international tourists who want to finally step on the white sand beaches and swim in the pristine waters of this paradise: Boracay has been closed for tourism because of the government’s plan for its rehabilitation. The official closure is expected to last six months from April 26.

This article will tell you everything that you need to know about the recent Boracay closure. Here are the most commonly asked questions about Boracay being closed to the public – and the answers to keep you informed.

1. What were the factors that led to the island’s temporary closure?

There are several factors that led to the island’s temporary closure. Some have been observed for years while others have only been recently discovered after the government finally put their focus on the island destination. Here they are.

Too many annual visitors

While many people found the Boracay closure both shocking and sad, others claim that they actually saw it coming. The island-paradise gets millions of visitors every year and this small little town couldn’t really keep up with the growing numbers of tourists and travelers from all over the world.

Illegal building on protected lands

Several hotels and other types of accommodations have been built on the island. While some of these establishments followed the local environmental laws, experts found out that half of all the famous buildings on the island were actually built on recognized protected lands.

Environmental Issues

The popularity of Boracay boosted the local economy and benefited small and big business, but the environment was the only one taking all the bad effects of over-tourism – and this is one of the primary reasons why the national government mandated the temporary closure of the island.

Ill-managed sewerage system

Boracay’s infrastructure was not able to keep up with the demands of millions of yearly visitors, especially when it comes to the island’s sewerage system. According to reports, the entire network was ill-managed, and several waste materials were found out to have been dispersed directly to the beach water – a perfect scenario that has dramatically contributed to the growth of harmful coliform bacteria and other types of algal growth.

Overall waste disposal management

Even with the sewage treatment as well as the solid waste disposal system available on the island, there is still a majority of hotels and residential homes that do not benefit from this infrastructure.

Moreover, the solid waste problem has increased dramatically in the island, especially during peak season. According to the reports, the entire island produces an average of 90-115 tonnes of solid waste every day, and there are only 30 tonnes that make it to the nearby island’s landfill.

2. How long do tourists have to wait for Boracay’s reopening?

The early announcements by President Rodrigo Duterte stated that the closure for the purposes of rehabilitation should last for a maximum of six months. The plan was implemented on the 26^th day of April, but recent reports suggest it might take more than that. Nonetheless, investors are positive that it might be sooner than promised.

However, as the local government focused on efforts to rehabilitate the island, more problems and issues started to emerge.

3. As soon as Boracay reopens, what changes should the public expect?

When Boracay finally reopens, locals and foreign tourists should expect several changes not only in infrastructure but also in the policies that will be implemented on the island.

Limits of guest and visitors

After Boracay finally reopens, the local government may have to impose limitations on the number of tourists that visit the island. While this is still not official, many environmental advocates, as well as the Tourism Department, think that doing so is very crucial to the full recovery of the island.

Better Infrastructure

Because of the current problems with the sewerage system and the challenges of better waste management, locals and tourists should expect that these will be the primary focus for rehabilitation and improvement in infrastructure. For starters, pipes that illegally dispose waste into the sea will be removed, preventing harmful algal bloom and reducing the formation of Coliform bacteria in the island’s waters.

Roads will be also wider, especially specific road systems that run from the northern to the southern part of the island. Additionally, the government plans on building a new circumferential road and complete it before reopening the island to tourism.

Relatively higher rates

There is a big possibility that rates for accommodations, goods, and services in Boracay might increase. According to several tourism officials, making Boracay more expensive will not only lessen the visitors and guests of the island, it will also reduce the demand of the island’s resources.

4. How did the closure affect the country’s economy?

Revenues from tourism are one of the biggest in the country, and the closure of Boracay has undoubtedly affected the Philippine economy. According to analysts, over PHP 1.9 billion will be lost from the expected 6-month Boracay rehabilitation.

5. Conclusion

Boracay’s temporary closure may have affected the business and tourism sectors of the island, but the government believes that it was a sacrifice that they must take so that the next generation can still experience the true beauty of this island paradise.

20 Tourist Destinations to Visit in the Philippines in 2016

January 9, 2016 By Victorino Q. Abrugar 4 Comments

The Philippines welcomed more than 5 million foreign tourists in 2015. This year, the Department of Tourism is eyeing to attract 10 million international tourists and 56 million local travelers. With more than 7,100 beautiful islands, the Philippines is not shy to offer a lot more fun for foreign and local wanderers. Our country is rich in natural, cultural and historical treasures. From the powdery soft white sand beaches to the biggest surfing wave, down to the largest cave up to the highest mountain, then travel back in time for hundred to thousand years, here are 20 tourist destinations in the Philippines to visit for the first time or for a return in 2016. [Read more…]

Palawan, still the Best Island in the World

October 22, 2015 By Lyza R. Sabornido Leave a Comment

Palawan, Philippines: The Best Island in the World

According to Readers’ Choice Awards 2015 conducted by luxury and lifestyle travel magazine, Condé Nast Traveler, Palawan, Philippines was again chosen by their readers as number one among the best Islands in the world.

In the survey, readers of the said magazine ranked the best islands for them from the Caribbean to Southeast Asia and Palawan got the first spot with an overall rating of 85.937.

Palawan is an island province in the MIMAROPA region, it is the biggest province in the Philippines in terms of total area of jurisdiction which extends from Mindoro to Borneo. It is made up of Palawan Island other surrounding islands including; the Calamianes Group of Islands (Busuanga Island, Coron Island and Culion Island), Durangan Island (Dulangan), Balabac Island, and Cuyo Islands in the Sulu Sea. Its capital, Puerto Princesa City is also one of the new seven natural wonders of the world. While El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area is the biggest marine sanctuary in the country.

Other Philippine Islands who made it to the Top 20 are; Boracay which landed on the 15th spot with an overall rating of 80.856 and Cebu ranked #19 with an overall rating of 80.404.

Other Islands which made it to the Top 20 are:

#2. Bora Bora, French Polynesia with an overall rating of 84.756
#3. Moorea, French Polynesia with an overall rating of 84.656
#4. Waiheke Island, New Zealand with an overall rating of 84.447
#5. Bermuda in the North Atlantic with an overall rating of 84.245
#6. Great Barrier Reef & Whitsunday Islands, Australia with an overall rating of 83.420
#7. Vancouver Island, BC, Canada with an overall rating of 82.495
#8. Bali, Indonesia with an overall rating of 82.330
#9. Santorini, Greece with an overall rating of 81.947
#10. Tasmania, Australia with an overall rating of 81.810
#11. Cook Islands with an overall rating of 81.326
#12. British Virgin Islands with an overall rating of 80.960
#13. St. John, USVI in the Caribbean Sea with an overall rating of 80.939
#14. Mykonos, Greece with an overall rating of 80.938
#16. Maldives in the Indian Ocean with an overall rating of 80.833
#17. Orkney Islands, Scotland with an overall rating of 80.603
#18. St. Lucia in the Caribbean with an overall rating of 80.569
#20. Hvar & Dalmatian Islands, Croatia with an overall rating of 80.264

Palawan also claimed top spot last year based on over 76,000 votes in Conde Nast Traveler.

This survey just proves that the Philippines is truly blessed by nature. We Filipinos should do our part in preserving this beauty. Surely more tourists would flock in the island for a chance to visit the best island in the world.

There’s good and bad effect about this, though. The good side is more tourists would come to our country, more tourist means more chance of employments for the locals and more income to the government. The bad side is the more people who would visit, the more garbage they leave behind which could sooner or later ruin this island paradise.

It is up to the local officials and other concerned government agencies to make sure that the beauty of Palawan and other islands in the country are well preserved for the next generation to see the same exquisite art made by the hands of Mother Nature.