Tourist arrivals in Boracay to reach 1-million by 2012 – Marquez

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan – Governor Carlito Marquez is confident the one million tourist arrivals in Boracay could be achieved by year 2012 as domestic and foreign travelers continue to increase.
Marquez said tourist arrivals from January to October registered 656,000, 19.8 percent increase compared to 547,000 recorded in the previous year.
The provincial government, he said, is focused in achieving the one million tourist traffic arrivals for the year 2012 that would bring in tourism receipts and jobs in Aklan.
“This year, the island of Boracay could accommodate 750,000 tourists. To improve the facilities in the jetty port and to attract more tourists, the provincial government is keen to develop the jetty port through expansion and reclamation of foreshore area," the governor said.
Marquez said the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) has notified the provincial government to reclaim the coastal areas, which is funded through bond flotation. While business stakeholders in Boracay are demanding to stop the project, the PRA had advised the provincial government to conduct studies to address the environmental issues.
Marquez said further consultations with the local government of Malay and stakeholders are scheduled next week, an offshoot of a consultative meeting at the Provincial Guest House with Malay mayor John Yap, Malay vice mayor Ceciron Cawaling, Boracay Foundation Inc. president Loubelle Cann and the Malay Sangguniang Bayan members on Friday.
Meanwhile, the jetty ports in Malay, Aklan collected P5.5-million from October 1 to 26 and could reach P6.6-million by end of month.
“The jetty ports now collected P94-million for the past ten months compared to P66-million last year or a whooping 36 percent increase in collections,” said Marquez in his Governor’s Report to the People over DyRU Super Radyo Kalibo.
To help boost tourism in Aklan, airline investors are negotiating with the provincial government to utilize the Kalibo International Airport for their main operations while Alphaland Corporation will develop its high-end 500-hectare property in Nabas, Aklan with a polo and country club.
San Miguel Corporation together with Ayala Corporation and the Department of Transportation and Communication are also starting its airport development in Caticlan's Godofredo P. Ramos Airport, which is adjacent to Alphaland's property.