25/10/2018
A delegation of the PHILTOA Board of Trustees visited Boracay last 18-19October 2018 on the invitation of the Department of Tourism (DOT). The purpose of the visit was to validate the conditions of the island and its readiness for the scheduled reopening to tourists by 26 October 2018.
Rehabilitation Condition:
The Beaches
• The island’s beaches are clean. The Main Beach is clear of algae. It is almost back to its original condition. The water around the island is clear for swimming
Major Infrastructure Works
• Large portion of the main road is still under construction and some portions are still closed to vehicular traffic.
• Circumferential road is still under construction
• Dismantling of illegal structures is still ongoing (Beach front and main road area) with repairs and reconstruction of properties damaged by the dismantling of structures due to violation of 25+5 meter easement clearance and caused by the road widening happening simultaneously
• Cagban Jetty Port is still undergoing renovation and closed for operations. DOT accredited transport provider may use the beach side of the jetty port if your confirmed resort booking is accessible by land. Passengers for properties that are not accessible by land may be disembarked using the temporary pontoons, with a walk on the beach and transfer by e-trike to their respective resorts.
Caticlan Jetty Port Entry
• There will be two Verification Points at Caticlan Jetty Port for all passengers crossing to Boracay Island: 1) for Tourists/Visitors, and 2) registered island residents and workers
• All tourists will need to present proof of accommodation at the Verification Point before they can be allowed to cross to Boracay.
Hotel and Resorts allowed to operate
• Only DOT accredited accommodation establishments in Boracay are allowed to operate by 26 October 2018 and onwards. Only these properties are allowed to open and accept bookings. Please refer to listing issued by the Department of Tourism.
Other Regulations as previously advised
• No Smoking or Drinking on the Beach
Kindly see the part of the phrase that says “on the Beach.” Smoking in the island is allowed only on designated areas. Drinking is still allowed on the island at accredited resorts and bars.
• No Beach Parties
Private parties can be done within the designated facilities and function areas of the resorts. So if one is planning a beach wedding, have it by the resort poolside and just do photos on the beach afterwards.
• Aqua Sports and Water Activities are suspended
This is temporarily suspended as they are still studying the environmental impact of all these activities, including ATV rides.
With less than one week to go for the reopening of Boracay, please take note of the following reminders to our membership.
• It is advisable that one checks if the hotel/resort booked is fully operational once it reopens. There may be some unfinished construction or refurbishment still ongoing within the property by 26October 2018. It would be prudent to ask the hotel/resort and advise the customer of these to avoid surprises and/or inconvenience
• Please do not forget to issue your customers a hotel voucher and remind them to keep this on hand, whether as a printed copy or on their mobile phones.
• Appraise your customers of the various rules and regulations to be imposed on the island (smoking, drinking, etc.) so they are fully aware of these.
Responsible Tourism
The parameter is being set to make Boracay a sustainable Tourist Destination, which could be replicated in all our tourist destinations. It is now the time that we play an active role in sustaining all the efforts made for Boracay and other tourist destinations. Let us start by imbibing within us the principles of inclusive, responsible and sustainable tourism. Let us be educated and educate our guests by simply adopting good practices in environment protection:
• Bring a refillable water bottle
Avoid the use of plastic water bottles. Boracay will eventually ban the selling of plastic water bottles.
• Carry a little “trash bag”
…and dispose of their trash in the proper containers once they return to their hotels/resorts
Let us follow the creed of:
Travel. Experience. Respect.