Bad news, travellers! In an effort to protect eco-systems crumbling from warming seas, Thailand has announced that it will shut Maya Bay, which was famously featured in Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie The Beach, for four months a year, starting from June 2018.
Meanwhile, Boracay, a well-loved island in the Philippines that has the kind of powdery white beaches and see-your-feet-clear water, will be closed for six months at the end of April. Tour operators say more than 36,000 jobs are currently at stake.
Apparently, the Philippines government has recommended the total shutdown after President Duterte slammed Boracay as a “cesspool” due to sewage dumped directly into the sea. He urged the officials to, “Clean the goddamn thing”, in six months.
So, how do you actually “close” an island? Although residents will be allowed to come and go, both local and foreign tourists will be blocked at the mainland ferry port starting April 26.
However, nearby airports of Caticlan and Kalibo will continue operating as they are located on the mainland.
Southeast Asia is expected to bear the brunt of rising damage to coral reefs, depriving fishermen of incomes and leaving nations exposed to incoming storms and damage from surging seas, recent research showed.
“Islands have very fragile eco-systems that simply cannot handle so many people, pollution from boats and beachfront hotels,” said Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a marine expert in Bangkok.
“Tourism is important, but we need to preserve these spaces for our future generations, for future livelihoods,” he said.
[Source]
