BY NYARIKA DOMANAIS
AKLAN – The number of tourist arrivals at the world-famous Boracay Island in Malay town has reached 108,857 in the first two weeks of June.
Of the number, 932 were local tourists, 763 overseas Filipinos, and 11,289 foreigners.
Last month, the Malay Tourism Office (MTO) reported a significant decline in the number of tourist arrivals in Boracay.
MTO data showed that the world-famous island welcomed a total of 182,776 tourists in May – much lower than the 207,512 tourists arrivals recorded in the same month last year.
Despite the decline, the local government of Malay is still optimistic of higher tourist arrivals in the succeeding months. It aims to exceed its annual target of 2.3 million tourist arrivals.
Meanwhile, Boracay is set to be reintroduced as a more Muslim-friendly destination this year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said as it amplifies efforts to attract foreign Muslim travelers to visit the country.
This September, the DOT will launch the “Muslim-Friendly Boracay,” an initiative in partnership with the local government of Malay.
The program, it said, would open up “private coves” that Muslim women could access and enjoy.
“(Malay Mayor Floribar Bautista) is looking for an area. Actually, he already identified three possible areas. Iyon ang ila-launch sa September,” DOT Undersecretary for Muslim Affairs Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar said.
Malay, Valderrosa-Abubakar said, would also redesign the island’s port to include a prayer room and ablution area for Muslims.
She said the DOT is currently accepting letters of intent from Boracay accommodation establishments to be recognized as Muslim-friendly stays.
Valderrosa-Abubakar also expressed hope that one of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts’ stays on the island could soon add a Halal-certified kitchen after its recent deal with the DOT to make its properties “Muslim-friendly.”
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco first announced the Muslim-Friendly Boracay initiative at the opening of the Salaam 2024: Travel and Trade Expo in Quezon City on Friday, June 14. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency)/PN
