AKLAN – The world-famous Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan reopened to more visitors beginning October 1 and Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores is confident of the positive outlook on tourist arrivals this year after the government allowed the resumption of domestic travel tourism.
Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Miraflores is seeing positive signs of tourists slowly returning to Boracay.
“Bukas na bukas na ang Boracay. Unti-unting umaakyat na ang numero ng turista. Sa tingin namin in the next few weeks or months, ang mga turista ay babalik dahil sa nakikita ninyo ngayon napakaganda na ang Boracay at safe na safe ang Boracay dahil COVID-19 free ito,” Miraflores said.
The governor also reminded all tourists to comply with the minimum health protocols set to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Hotel bookings, a negative Covid-19 test result not earlier than 48 hours prior to arrival and an online health declaration form are required for non-Aklanon tourists.
Data from Malay Municipal Tourism Office showed that Boracay had reported 179 visitor arrivals from October 1 to 5. Of this number, 32 percent or 57 tourists came from National Capital Region, 50 percent or 89 from Aklan and the rest were from Antique, Iloilo city and province and Roxas City.
Before the coronavirus threat, Boracay Island brought in 2.1 million visitors. The island recorded no foreign arrivals since the government imposed travel ban on mid-March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic./PN
