More tourists went to Boracay on 1st quarter, says governor

ILOILO CITY—Tourist arrivals on Boracay Island have surged by more than 50 percent in the first quarter of this year, according to Aklan Governor Carlito Marquez.

Marquez said the continued popularity of the island, known for its powdery white sand and clear waters, and the increase of direct flights to Caticlan and Kalibo had boosted the tourist arrivals.

Tourist arrivals from January to March this year reached 324,254, 53.81 percent higher than the 210,803 tourists for the same period last year.

In March alone, 118,177 tourists, mostly overseas-based Filipinos, came to the island, up by 60 percent compared with the 73,666 tourists in the same month last year, according to data from the provincial tourism office.

Consistent growth

Annual tourist arrivals have grown consistently for the past several years from 649,559 in 2009, 779,666 in 2010 to 908,875 last year. Tourism revenues also increased from P11.9 billion in 2009, P14.3 billion in 2010 to P16.7 billion last year.

On March 23, budget carrier Cebu Pacific started its Kalibo-Hong Kong flights. The thrice-weekly flight (Monday-Wednesday-Friday) leaves Kalibo at 2:35 p.m. and arrives in Hong Kong at 5:05 p.m. It returns from Hong Kong at 5:50 p.m. and arrives in Kalibo at 8:20 p.m.

Philippine Airlines also launched its Kalibo-Hong Kong flights on April 25. The twice-weekly flight (Tuesday and Friday) leaves Hong Kong at

1:20 p.m. and arrives in Kalibo at 3:50 p.m. It returns from Kalibo at 4:50 p.m. and arrives in Hong Kong at 7:20 p.m.

The Kalibo International Airport (KIA) also caters to direct international flights between the capital town and Beijing, Taipei, Seoul and Busan.

Domestic flights to Kalibo and Caticlan include those from Manila, Cebu and Clark.

Transportation Secretary Manuel Roxas II said in a speech during Aklan’s 56th foundation day anniversary that additional screening equipment would be installed in the KIA and Caticlan airport as part of a P500-million project to upgrade security measures in 45 airports with commercial flights in the country.

Marquez said the province is implementing infrastructure and other projects to support the development in its tourism industry.

The provincial government is developing a jetty port in Barangay (village) Pook in the capital town of Kalibo for fast craft passenger boats that will ferry Boracay-bound tourists.

The passenger boat is expected to cut travel time from Kalibo to Boracay from an hour and a half by land travel to 45 minutes.

Engineer Roger Esto, provincial planning and development officer, said ferry services by 2GO, operated by Negros Navigation Co. Inc.-Aboitiz Transport System Corp., would be ready within the year after the setting up of a modular port in Barangay Pook.

Marquez said the alternative route to Boracay from Kalibo would offer a more relaxing and scenic trip to tourists and would also attract visitors to the Bakhawan (mangrove) Eco-park in Ibajay town, the Jawili Falls in Tangalan town and other destinations along the route.