Boracay may cap tourist arrivals after reopening
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.
TravelMole Editorial Team
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.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
U.S.A. and Israel attacks on Iran impact air movements in the Gulf (Update 1.00pm CET)
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations