The popular resort island was shut last year after its sewage system failed to cope with the number of arrivals.
Having undergone a rigorous clean-up operation, Boracay reopened in October 2018, with strict rules and consequences for those who violate them, Roberto P Alabado, assistant secretary for tourism development planning, told TTG at WTM London.
These include fines for littering, a ban on beach parties and a cap on the number of people arriving on the island.
There should only be 18,000 people on Boracay each day, with 6,000 of these arrivals, Alabado added.
“We had a thousand people, if not hundreds of thousands of people, coming to one small island for LaBoracay [a popular party event]. Just imagine the crowd and the garbage.
“We have restrictions on how the beaches are used, so they are clear and there are less crowds. Parties are great, but they should not be on the beach.”
The next stage of the Philippines’ environmental strategy is to promote its various destinations to combat overtourism, Alabado added, with many islands offering diving, mountain climbing or bird-watching.
It comes as the Philippines is set to reach 8.2 million visitors by the end of 2019, up from 7.1 million in 2018.
Tourism numbers have been on the rise for a decade, Alabado said, but he stressed the country was eager to ensure growth was managed sustainably.
“Sustainable tourism means protecting jobs, building infrastructure and providing residents with opportunities so they have quality services. It is not just nature. We are always protecting the people who are part of that environment.
“We want tourists to follow the laws of the land, particularly the environmental laws.”
