COVID-free Boracay May Limit the Number of Visitors per Day

This year, a COVID-free Boracay welcomed a flock of visitors in Boracay, especially this summer season. However, the local government of Boracay is set to limit the island’s tourist visits to 19,215 daily, as advised by the Department of Tourism (DOT). The proposed limitation is currently being reviewed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), considering the 19k capacity set last 2018.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Interior Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III says that they have already notified Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores and acting Malay Mayor Frolibar Bautista, reminding them to oversee the implementation of Boracay to allow only a capacity of 19,215 tourist visits or visitors in Boracay daily. [1]

DOT Regional Director Cristine Mansinares said that the assessment result will probably be released on June 15. Last 2018, the same study was carried out and reviewed by the DENR.

During the Holy Week, the number of visitors in Boracay reached 21,252, and another 22,519 tourist visits were recorded the following day. But on the other hand, the Malay Tourism Office has recorded a different record of 44,981 tourist arrivals from April 11 to April 17, with the highest during Maundy Thursday with 12,666 guests. On an important note, the data from the Malay Tourism Office based its data on new tourist arrivals, which did not include tourists already staying in Boracay, but still considered part of the island’s carrying capacity, as declared by Mansinares. [2]

Therefore, the DOT declares that Boracay has exceeded its capacity for tourist visits. Boracay local authorities are to deal with administrative charges if the Boracay local government cannot control the tourist arrivals on the island, which leads to a breach of the capacity set by the duly authorized sectors.

Mansinares said that they will be in talks with the authorized secretaries of the Boracay-Inter Agency Rehabilitation Management Group to proceed with more details on the next step.

The 19k capacity of tourist arrivals in Boracay is also under review every three to five years. According to DOT, the carrying capacity of Boracay would also depend upon the advice of the experts.

It would not be appealing and safe for the tourists to go to Boracay if it is overcrowded. The limitation of the arrivals on the island is considered to be strictly implemented with the health and safety of the public in mind by Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat. She also added that the carrying capacity of Boracay may be increased, but again would depend on the study of experts.

Boracay Island just marked the beginning of the closure of its rehabilitation works with the celebration of the ‘Love Boracay’, previously known as ‘LaBoracay’, with the restoration mandated by President Rodrigo Duterte.