BORACAY – The number of foreign tourist arrivals in this island resort during this year’s Holy Week increased while that of domestic tourists dropped, the Malay Municipal Tourism Office (MTO) reported.
MTO records showed that 23,123 foreign tourists visited Boracay from March 26 to April 1 this year, 18 percent higher from last year’s 19,490.
Meanwhile, domestic tourist arrivals declined 34 percent from last year’s 34,613 to this year’s 22,772.
Overall, the island accommodated 46,610 tourists on Holy Week, 18 percent lower compared to last year’s 54,887.
The influx of tourists reached its peak on Holy Wednesday at 10,909.
The second highest arrivals were on Holy Thursday at 9,680, followed by Good Friday with 6,214, Holy Monday with 5,203, Easter Sunday with 4,969, Holy Tuesday with 4,906, and Black Saturday with 4,729.
The low turnout of domestic tourists was attributed to the island closure threat that time, local officials said.
President Rodrigo Duterte on a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday approved the total closure of Boracay, which will start on April 26 and six months thereafter. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
