by Donald Wood
Last updated: 3:55 PM ET, Fri May 10, 2019
The popular Thailand hotspot that shut down last year after an influx of tourists arriving since the Leonardo DiCaprio film "The Beach" debuted in 2000, has announced it will reopen in 2021.
According to BBC.com, government officials announced in early 2018 Maya Bay on Phi Phi Leh Island would be shut down to foreign travelers after overtourism put a strain on coral reefs, sea life and the white sand beaches.
Government advisor and marine biologist Thon Thamrongnawasawat told NBCNews.com the beach would remain closed for two more years as the government works to build a pier, walking trail and sanitation system to accommodate the large numbers of tourists.
Before Maya Bay was temporarily shut down to tourists, officials estimated 5,000 people arrived daily. As a result, the local government is conducting studies to find the limit on visitors, possibly capping the number at 2,000 per day.
To manage the influx of arrivals at the beach, an e-ticketing system would be installed.
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