TOURISTS are gradually returning to Boracay Island after over two years of pandemic. This good development was further bolstered by the recent visit there of Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Ambassador Huang Xillian. That visit hinted at the return of Boracay’s biggest tourist market – the Chinese tourists.
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko, too, visited Boracay recently. On social media he shared how impressed he was of the “white sand and pristine waters” that made him “want to extend my leave a little longer.”
Since the mid-’80s, Boracay had been experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of tourists visiting the island. But tourists, the locals and government authorities appeared oblivious to the negative impacts of unplanned tourism development. Thus for years the pristine island and its beaches were subjected to abuse and exploitation of investors and tourists, whether intentional or otherwise.
Thank goodness for the massive rehabilitation of Boracay that started in 2018. The island was saved from total degradation.
Because of its vast economic potentials, Boracay must be a responsible ecotourism zone. It must be accorded priority development by the national and local governments in promoting and protecting the integrity of its ecology and environment.
The island offers an amazing land and seascape, stretches of white-sand beaches and amazing dive sites, rolling hills and a vast blue sky that seems to constantly reach out to the ocean. We cannot afford to lose all of these through unchecked, irresponsible development. Both the government and the private sector must recognize this.
The story of Boracay, with its unique ecology, stunning beauty and unprecedented tourism boom, provides experiences and lessons in man and nature. They must coexist in harmonious and mutually nurturing relationship in a fragile environment.
