The most beautiful places on earth will only continue to be so if managed properly. The recent closing of Boracay Island, a Philippine paradise with nine beaches, covering a 4-kilometer stretch of white sand and blue sea, was an eye-opener to the other side of travel – footprints from tourists and locals alike could leave an undesirable mark.
Nevertheless, it is good news that the island will open its gates for travel, six months after the start of rehabilitation. This time, we foresee changes in the way that travel and environmental concerns are addressed in the island.
Travel and Waste Management
The decision to call for action was made when the Philippine president came to the island and saw the plethora of garbage that is infesting rivers (and other places we never see on Instagram).
When Boracay opens again, we anticipate stricter environmental laws being enforced amongst hotels and other establishments. This could result in a change in business practices. If you’re coming back to Boracay, you might notice that things will run differently, but if it’s your first time visiting, we encourage that you become observant and still have fun!
Things We Still Want to Do in Boracay
Boracay is famous for being a host to parties that occur in the dark of night.
If you are coming to the party, do not hesitate to join the fun! Just be aware of where you dispose your partying paraphernalia.
Scuba Diving and Island Hopping
People who visit Boracay must have an undeniable love for water. Dive sites are easily accessible from the island and guests have a blissful time snorkeling, cliff diving, and swimming. With clearer waters after rehabilitation, it would certainly be a thrill to dip our toes into these activities again.
Rafting
For the adventurous, clean rivers will be available for rafting, soon! If you’re into experiencing luxurious sunsets while sailing on a yacht (with a beer in one hand) soon Boracay will be a haven for travelers who simply want to sail and enjoy the breeze.
Redefining Tourism
The rehabilitation of Boracay has come with an undeniable cost both for locals who temporarily lost their jobs, and travelers who canceled trips and spent money on non-refundable fees. There have been mixed opinions about the closing of Boracay, but we can all agree that good intentions are behind the declaration of a state of calamity.
When travel and tourism come back to the island, Boracay will be seen in the lens of new eyes that understand fully – paradises are only as good as the people who breathe in it.