ILOILO CITY—Amid increasing tourist arrivals, Boracay Island’s famous White Beach landed 24th among the top 25 beaches in the 2017 Travelers’ Choice Awards of popular travel site TripAdvisor.
The ranking was down from last year’s 12th place and 2015’s 7th place in the world category. In the Asian category, White Beach slid to second after leading the list since 2011.
White Beach, a 4-kilometer stretch of beach known for its powdery white sand and clear waters, is Boracay’s main attraction where the island’s hotels, restaurants and entertainment activities are concentrated.
The ranking is based on reviews of travelers posted on the travel site. TripAdvisor claims to hold “435 million reviews and opinions covering 6.8 million accommodations, restaurants and attractions.”
Many of the recent reviews and comments in TripAdvisor praised White Beach and Boracay Island.
“This place is amazing. Lots of options to eat and drink. Tons of restaurants. Great sunset view. Sand is pure white and fine,” according to a post by Kris E from Toronto in Canada.
But Kris also commented on the algae growth in the water.
“The only issue is the water is green in the shallow part. Not sure if it is all year long or just in February but it looks horrible. I did not go in the water because of it,” Kris said.
TripAdvisor member Copacabana64 described White Beach as “one of the best beaches in the world.”
But some pointed out that the island has become overcrowded.
Tourist arrivals on the 1,032-hectare island reached 1,725,483 in 2016, 11 percent higher than the 1,560,106 tourists recorded in 2015, according to government records.
The island has been plagued by perennial problems, including environmental concerns blamed largely on unhindered development activities and poor enforcement of laws and regulations.