Thailand’s Maya beach reopens for tourists

After almost four years of closure Thailand’s Maya Bay is now open to tourists and visitors after being officially relaunched on new year’s day. 
Maya Bay, on the island of Phi Phi Leh, was closed in 2018 after officials said a sharp rise in visitors had severely damaged the environment.
But now tourists are being allowed back due to the ecosystem recovering. 
A maximum of 375 visitors will be able to visit at a time and swimming will be prohibited for now, officials say.
According to a news release from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the infrastructural improvements include a new jetty at Loh Samah Bay on the opposite side of the island, which boats taking tourists to see Maya Bay will now have to use. 
Experts had advised that if the recovery of coral reefs in the area was to continue, the only access to Maya Bay must be via this new jetty. Also, the number of daily visitors to Maya Bay will be controlled to protect the local environment and marine ecosystem, and a specific area will be designated for swimming.