Arrival of Russian charters in Boracay to spur economy

BORACAY - The year 2007 opens with a boom for Western Visayas tourism with the arrival of two charter groups from Russia Federation this January 5, 6 and 8, 2007 bound for Boracay with 403 Russian tourists from Vladivostok and Kransncyarsk, Siberia.

According to Director Edwin G. Trompeta of DOT, these charters are scheduled every first week of January in conjunction with the Orthodox New Year in Russia. This group is staying an average of 8-10 days.

Blue Horizon Travel and Tours, Inc. the company handling the charter groups from Russia since early 90's with Boracay and Cebu as the main destinations is optimistic that with the completion of Iloilo and Silay airports, Western Visayas will be beneficiary of direct flights in the future.

The local government of Aklan and Malay together with the DOT and the PNP has been requested to extend VIP courtesies to the group as well as ensure the safe, convenient and comfortable stay of the visitors while in the island.

The cooperation of the LGU and the composite security task force in Boracay has been requested considering that the island has limited entry and exit capabilities for the efficient handling in case of the emergency situation.

It is expected that Aklan province and Malay will realize considerable economic value from the charter.

Meanwhile, Trompeta said that while the region has encountered upheavals this year, the next one would be better.

Optimistic, Trompeta said that though disasters like typhoons and catastrophe like oil spill in Guimaras, have devastated the region with millions worth of properties and livelihood affected, the region has nevertheless recovered and has even seen the plus side of these problems.

The Province of Guimaras, for one, has had suffered from oil spill which accidentally happened in its strait and affected its shores and the livelihood of its fishers, has had attracted the eyes of domestic and foreign tourists. He called it a blessing in disguise.

The provinces of Capiz and Aklan, which suffered of agricultural and infrastructural devastation, have turned the heads of the political leaders for bigger growth and assistance.

Trompeta also projected that more domestic and foreign tourists would come over to the region to see more and more its beauty which was not yet unveiled.

According to Trompeta, around 3 million tourists, foreign and domestic, would come to the region in 2007.

This is higher to the total 2.5 million foreign visits the region gets this year.People from China, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan are likely coming over this year. With the creation of convention centers here in Iloilo, the 88-room hotel in Boracay and two international airports in Iloilo and Negros Occidental, which would be operational next year, Trompeta is certain the region will turn heads and boost its economy.