The Philippines could put a cap on the number of visitors to Boracay when the island reopens after its closure.
The island closes later this month for a planned rehabilitation project.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has been asked to estimate the island’s capacity based on current infrastructure and will report its findings next month.
Environment undersecretary Jonas Leones said it will determine the island’s ‘carrying capacity.’
Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo confirmed a maximum cap on arrivals is being considered.
She said its capacity has risen from 25,000 in 2008 to an estimated 75,000 now.
In addition several mega projects had just been announced for the island before the decision was made to close it down, and these may now be in jeopardy.
These include a $500 million casino resort and a 1,000-room beachfront hotel.
Teo also said the country’s tourism target of 7.5 million arrivals this year remains unchanged despite Boracay’s closure.
"We will work on it. The target will still be the same. "Let’s not think that there will be no more tourism when Boracay is closed. Actually, there are still a lot of tourism products that we can offer."
Boracay officially closes on April 26.
