BORACAY – As this island takes stringent pandemic safety protocols for residents and domestic tourists, the Municipal Tourism Office of Malay, Aklan welcomed the latest statistics showing a surge in visitors.
Boracay received 99,795 visitors from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30 and was caught off guard with the number of domestic travellers from Dec. 1 to 5. Some 15,601 tourists came over, which suggested more visitors could be expected this Christmas and New Year.
On average, about 3,000 tourists arrive each day and most are from the National Capital Region.
For months, the island saw its travel and tourism sector hit hard by the coronavirus health crisis. Many hotels and resorts struggled to keep afloat. But now, restrictions are starting to ease.
Boracay reopened its doors to vaccinated domestic tourists on Nov. 16 but just 41,300 tourists entered the island from Nov. 16 to 30.
Those already vaccinated still need to present vaccination cards or vaccination certificates to enter Boracay Island.
As for the partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, they will have to present a negative swab or saliva test taken 72 hours prior to departure.
Chief Tourism Operations Officer Felix Delos Santos said tourists are advised to observe minimum health protocols such as wearing of facemasks and social distancing to combat COVID-19 transmission.
Boracay Island is also ready to restart its international inbound tourism should the government revive plans to allow the entry of fully vaccinated tourists from mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea. /PN
