ILOILO – Boracay Island, the world-famous resort island off the coast of Malay town in Aklan known for its powdery white sand, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant nightlife, capped 2025 with a strong tourism rebound after drawing 227,828 visitors in December alone, a year-end surge that pushed total arrivals past the two-million mark.
Data from the Malay-Boracay Tourism Office reaffirmed the resort island’s position as one of the Philippines’ strongest tourism earners. The December influx surpassed most monthly tallies earlier in the year, buoyed by the holiday season, sustained domestic travel, and the arrival of the last cruise ship of the year carrying about 2,000 passengers.
Domestic tourists accounted for the bulk of December arrivals at 182,913, while 40,179 foreign visitors travelled to the island during the month.
Another 4,736 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families also spent the holidays in Boracay, contributing to the year-end spike.
The December figure exceeded the island’s earlier 2025 highs, including 222,952 visitors in May and 205,310 in June, underscoring the strength of holiday-driven travel demand and Boracay’s sustained recovery following the pandemic downturn.
Tourism officials attributed the surge to Boracay’s continued appeal as a leisure destination, highlighted by its white-sand beaches, water sports, and nightlife, as well as its inclusion in several major international travel rankings in 2025.
Boracay was cited as fourth Best of the Best Beach in Asia in the October 2025 Traveler’s Choice Awards.
It also ranked fourth Best Island in the World in Asia in the Conde Nast Traveller (UK) Readers’ Choice Awards and emerged as Top Island in the World in Asia in the Conde Nast Traveller (US) Readers’ Choice Awards.
The Department of Tourism earlier hailed Boracay as the No. 1 Best Beach in the World for sunbathing, surfing, and relaxation in Conde Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, citing its iconic 2.5-mile White Beach.
Other Philippine destinations, including Palawan and Siargao, likewise placed among Asia’s Top 10 Islands, reinforcing the country’s growing profile as a premier global travel destination.
With more than two million tourists recorded in 2025, Boracay’s year-end surge capped what tourism officials described as a full recovery year — driven by strong domestic demand, renewed international interest, and global recognition that continues to draw travelers to the island./PN
