BY SHY POLIDO
BORACAY – The volume of tourists in this world-famous island is expected to increase during the “Undas,” according to Tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
The famed-island resort reopened its shores to tourists nationwide on Thursday.
“I actually expect na mas dadami ang turista sa Undas. ‘Yun ang peak season,” Puyat said in a radio interview over Teleradyo.
The island could accommodate at least 2,000 tourists, according to initial estimates.
But on Day 1 of its reopening, only 35 tourists arrived, coming in by air, land and sea, data from the Malay Tourism Office showed.
Of the total arrivals, 19 were from Iloilo, five from Manila, one from Roxas City and 10 from around Aklan.
Commenting on the turnout, Romulo-Puyat said: “Okay lang naman na kakaunti lang ang dumating so we can test the protocols,” she said.
For his part, Gov. Florencio Miraflores, said he expected Day 1’s low turnout.
“As you know we have very stringent rules and regulations for travelers,” Miraflores said in an interview with CNN Friday morning.
Miraflores acknowledged that people still do have a fear of travel.
But the government, he said, is hopeful the confidence to travel will be restored as the weeks and months pass. Right now he is just grateful that the DOT granted the province’s request to reopen Boracay.
“Aklan depends solely on tourism and we have to take care of 20,000 workers who have been out of jobs,” he said.
The government required incoming travelers to secure a negative swab test not earlier than 48 hours before they travel. Aklan residents are exempted from this protocol.
Boracay tourists must also have a confirmed booking with an accommodation establishment that is accredited by the Department of Tourism.
Apart from this, a health declaration form from the Aklan provincial government’s official website must be accomplished to receive a quick response code. Meanwhile, Mayor Frolibar Bautista of Malay affirmed that the reopening in October, though with less number of tourists, could be a basis for improvement.
“Maganda nga ito na paunti-unti lang. At least makikita natin kung ano ba ang mga dapat ayusin. Dahil kung bigla-bigla ‘yan. Paano kung thousands agad ‘yung [dumating]? Magulo ‘yon,” Bautista said.
He added that Boracay is only adjusting now so by time more tourists arrive, authorities would be prepared for they have basis from this month’s turnout./PN
