BORACAY – Expect an early travel rush of tourists from “green” countries. But it won’t be easy.
Fully vaccinated visitors from these countries are allowed a quarantine-free travel to the Philippines.
The travelers are required to submit a negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result taken 72 hours prior to departure from the country of origin.
Tourists from inbound markets of Boracay – mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, India, and United Arab Emirates – can visit the country without having to quarantine if they show proof of vaccination and prove they are coronavirus-free in tests taken within 72 hours of departing for the Philippines.
The new interim protocols of the National Inter-Agency Task Force will take effect starting Nov. 22.
Aklan’s economy is hugely dependent on tourism in Boracay Island. Since the pandemic, the global travel was hampered and many tourism-dependent businesses were hit hard.
To boost the decimated tourism sector, Boracay Island slowly reopened to domestic tourists. Visitors need to complete an online health declaration form, submit their VaxCertPH COVID-19 vaccination certificate or local government unit-issued vaccination card and confirmed hotel bookings to enter the island.
Despite the turbulence in the pandemic era, the tourist traffic responded strongly to the easing of restrictions since Boracay Island and the province of Aklan were placed under Alert Level 2.
There were 24,355 domestic tourists visited the island from Nov. 1 to 14.
More than 32,400 travelers also stayed in Boracay Island last month. In September, only 6,702 tourists traveled to Boracay Island./PN
