Boracay the 1970s. In 1970, the movies "Nam's Angels" (released in the U.S. as "The Losers") and "Too Late the Hero" used filming locations on Boracay and Caticlan. There was an influx of Western tourists after German writer Jens Peter called it "paradise on Earth" in his book about the Philippines in 1978. In the 1980s, the island became popular as a budget destination for backpackers. By the 1990s, Boracay's beaches were being acclaimed as the best in the world. However in 1997, the tourist arrival to the resort island dropped 60 percent due to the increase of coliform bacteria from
2018 Boracay closure and redevelopment over Boracay. The officials were alleged to have been lax in issuing building permits and to have failed to sufficiently tackle illegal development activities on the island. About 400 hotels and restaurants were ordered to close for violating local environmental laws, while 3 casinos have been permanently shut down. Establishments built within the 30-meter shoreline easement were also demolished. The government projected that there will be about loss of potential gross receipts as a result of the six months closure of Boracay. Tourist stakeholders in the island project a loss of as they estimate that 700,000 bookings by foreign tourists