Increase in tourists in Boracay Island during the Easter holidays breaks government rules

Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Increase in tourists in Boracay Island during the Easter holidays broke the government rules regarding tourist limit in the island, said the Department of Tourism (DOT).

“The (DOT) has apprised both the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) of the breach in carrying capacity. We continue our coordination with them, especially the DILG, which has jurisdiction over the LGU (local government unit), to address this concern and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future,” said the DOT.

Data showed that 12,266 tourists visited the island on April 14 alone and 24,939 from April 13 to 15. This is the highest in two years before the COVID-19 pandemic constrained travel.

Boracay Island was closed for tourists from April 26 to October 25, 2018, for restoration works after President Duterte called the island resort a “cesspool” due to pollution, unregulated development, and other environmental alarms.
April is usually a peak month for visitors in Boracay; however, the number of visitors was record since January 2020, when the travel worries and restrictions due to the pandemic island were felt.

Last month, tourist arrivals reached 150,597, which is the highest since January 2020.

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