The Philippines has announced a six-month closure of the popular tourist island of Boracay following concerns of damage to its once pristine shores.
The Philippines will shut its most famous tourist island, Boracay, for six months following concerns of “environmental violations”.
Earlier this year, President Rodrigo Duterte called the island a “cesspool” and had threatened to shut it down.
Boracay will be closed to tourists starting on 26th April 2018.
Airlines have already begun cancelling flights to the island.
Cebu Pacific has cancelled 14 daily roundtrip flights to Caticlan and Kalibo, Boracay’s two main gateways, from April to October.
Business groups have called for the decision to be reconsidered.
Thousands of livelihoods rely on the island’s tourism industry, which is worth approximately $1bn to the national economy.
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