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Campaigners fight to keep Borocay open
Boracay’s tourism industry could lose out to the tune of P56 billion (about $1 billion) if the government goes ahead and shuts down the tourist island temporarily.
A group of tourism stakeholders made up of The Philippine Tour Association, Philippine Travel Agencies Association, Tourism Congress of the Philippines, Boracay Foundation, and the Organization of Hotel Sales and Marketing Professionals say on-going rehabilitation is the answer, not a complete closure.
As the country’s landmark holiday island hotspot, it will significantly damage Philippines tourism as a whole, they said.
“The saleability of the Philippines as a tourism destination in the region will be greatly compromised by a closure. All the hard work and marketing efforts of the tourism industry over the years will all come to naught, while our regional competitors will reap the benefits as tourists divert their travels elsewhere,” they said in a jount statement.
“It is undeniable that Boracay is the centerpiece of a visitor’s trip. The fact that Boracay is portrayed as an environmental disaster will speak not just of the island, but of the Philippines as a destination as a whole.”
The stakeholders are calling on the government to give each business 60 days to rehabilitate their properties and waste management and then take action against businesses violating environmental and zoning laws.
“If efforts made are not enough, then and only then will a closure be effected. If timelines are followed, said closure to happen in June 2018, in time for the so-called low season.”
The environmental state of Boracay has been a hot topic ever since President Rodigo Duterte described it as a ‘cesspool.’
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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