Island tourist cap to be strictly imposed

DOT mulls fewer Boracay flights, too

Boracay – the famed beach destination that was ordered shut for six months due to environmental degradation – will be reopened to domestic and foreign tourists on Oct. 26. When the island reopens, a tourist cap of 6,405 a day will be strictly imposed, says Tourism secretary Bernadette Puyat. TRAVE+LEISURE

BORACAY – The island tourist cap will be strictly followed when this popular beach destination officially opens come Oct. 26, stressed Tourism secretary Bernadette Puyat.

Only 6,405 visitors will only be allowed to enter Boracay each day, Puyat added, citing a study from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“We have to enforce the carrying capacity because if we don’t, Boracay will return to what it was before,” she said. “We want it to be sustainable and to be always open.”

Puyat also said they are eyeing to limit the number of flights to Kalibo and Caticlan to ensure that only a restricted number of tourists can go to Boracay.

She added that several airlines have agreed to offering only one flight a day.

About 98-percent of Boracay tourists reach the island via air travel, according to the Tourism chief.

Only hotels and resorts that are “100-percent compliant” can operate. These are establishments that secured all the requirements set by the DENR, DOT and DILG.

As of Friday, only 25 establishments were allowed to operate in Boracay. These establishments were those included on the initial list the DOT released.

Puyat said they are expecting more establishments to comply before the island soft opening on Oct. 15.

SOURCE: Panay News

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