Boracay Closure Turns Travellers to lesser-known Philippine Islands

BASINGSTOKE, U.K. - May 16, 2018 - PRLog -- The closure of the Philippines most popular tourist destination, Boracay, for six months in April for a huge clean-up operation is a bitter-sweet pill to swallow for the local tourist industry, estimated to be worth around US$1 billion annually to the economy.

Following a recent visit to Boracay, new president Rodrigo Duterte described the island's once pristine waters as a "cesspool" and ordered the total shutdown of the island to improve sewerage systems and waste disposal.

This dramatic government action has turned the attention of potential holidaymakers to the lesser-known islands and beaches in The Philippines, which are more in line with the western traveller's mind set of palm-fringed white sand beaches and gin-clear seas.

The Visayas is where you will find the most pristine marine environments, including Panglao Island, Bantayan Island, Negros & Siquijor to name a few. Here you can kick back on clean white sand beaches, and discover the region's fascinating history, stunning scenery & exotic wildlife.

Travel to Palawan for luxurious resorts off the coast of El Nido, and the limestone karst scenery of Coron & Busuanga Island. Mindoro Island has retained a laid-back and undeveloped air despite easy access to Manila, and further afield little-visited Siargao, in the southeast of the country, has some stylish resorts and is perfect for getting off-the-beaten track and relaxing on a clean and quiet beach.

Bamboo Travel, offers a choice of eight different recommended itineraries to the Philippines, revealing some hidden gems in remote locations, far away from the crowds.

Voyage into the Visayas: 16 days from £2570

The Visayas islands complex in central Philippines is where to find the most pristine marine environments, including Panglao Island, Bantayan Island, Negros and Siquijor, to name a few.  Here you can kick back on clean white sand beaches, and discover the region's fascinating history, stunning scenery and exotic wildlife.

Five of the islands are visited on the 16-day Voyage into the Visayas (https://www.bambootravel.co.uk/tours/voyage-into-the-visayas) trip, which takes advantage of the excellent ferry links.  Also suitable for families, the itinerary includes a full-day visit to Apo Island, discovering the magic of Siquijor, and meeting the Tarsier, the world's smallest primate.

The holiday costs from £2570 pp (two sharing) which includes flights, 14 nights' B&B (and four lunches), private transfers and tours and guides.

Purely Palawan: 13 days from £2950

Palawan, a thin strip of island which is often referred to as the 'last frontier', marks the western-most border of the archipelago, and has largely been left untouched by logging or urban development.  It has a substantial amount of primary rainforest, and an alluring array of natural wonders including caves, national parks, lagoons, and some truly stunning coastline.

The 13-day Purely Palawan (https://www.bambootravel.co.uk/tours/purely-palawan?utm_s...) tour concentrates on two island resorts, just off the coast of Palawan, providing a chance to explore the island's extraordinary natural heritage whilst staying in style and comfort.  Highlights will include staying on a charming island resort in Honda Bay and discovering paradise in El Nido.  Bamboo Travel can also organise a range of outdoor activities and local excursions.

The holiday costs from £2950 pp (two sharing) which includes flights, 11 nights' full board, private transfers and tours, and guides.

Bamboo Travel can tailor-make every tour, depending on personal requirements, nothing is set in stone and flexibility is key.

Call 020 7720 9285 (www.bambootravel.co.uk).