PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has announced the shock closure of the country’s best-known holiday island for six months, blaming a sewage crisis.
The island of Boracay will be closed to tourists from 26 Apr, throwing travel plans into chaos and threatening the viability of dozens of resorts.
Shangri-La Boracay Resort & Spa said it was working on plans to care for employees and would provide refunds for affected guests while the island was closed for rehabilitation.
Duterte has blamed businesses dumping raw sewage into the sea.
AirAsia has confirmed the suspension of a number of routes in connection with the shutdown, and will add capacity to a range of other leisure ports including Palawan, Bohol, Cebu and Davao.
The carrier is offering refunds, rescheduling or new destinations without penalty for affected pax.
Source: traveldaily