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BY IME SORNITO
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Thursday, March 1, 2018
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ILOILO City – Despite environmental concerns, Boracay Island keeps on attracting tourists, according to the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Western Visayas.
From Feb. 12 to 18, 48,904 foreign and domestic tourists visited the island. Compared to the 42,473 visitors recorded in the same period last year, this was 15 percent higher.
“Tourist traffic remains relatively similar or heavier than last year’s,” said Regional Director Helen Catalbas.
Out of the 170 accommodation establishments surveyed by DOT-6, only 12 hotels and resorts reported cancellation of bookings, she revealed.
“It is business as usual in Boracay Island,” said Catalbas.
DOT-6 also said there were no cancellations of flights at the Kalibo and Caticlan airports, and even of trips of roll-on, roll-off vessels.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier threatened to close Boracay if environmental problems in the top beach destination are not addressed.
He gave Environment secretary Roy Cimatu six months to clean Boracay up.
DOT-6 has activated its Compliance Monitoring Office last week.
Tourism secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo vowed to save the world-famous tourist destination.
“We are here to save Boracay, to restore Boracay to its original form, which used to be a paradise,” she said.
According to DOT undersecretary Katherine de Castro, DOT is now crafting a communications plan about the developments in Boracay both for the local and international community.
An ocular of the island tomorrow is being scheduled to involve some senators and the participation of the Department of Justice and the Department of Public Works and Highways. (With a report from the Philippine News Agency/PN)
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