Boracay Pa More: 553,000 tourists in Q1

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Before the planned closure, Boracay Island attracted 553,074 tourists from January to March this year. Of the figures, domestic travelers registered 164,911 arrivals or 30 percent of the total inbound visitors. 

PHOTO BOY RYAN ZABAL

Chinese and Korean tourists also dominated the international market or 78 percent of the total number of foreigners in Boracay Island for the first three months this year. 

China was the leading market with 169,647 travelers or 41-percent increase compared to 99,911 tourists for the same period last year. 

Korea came in second with 122,129. Last year, tourists from Korea accounted for 98,782. 

The island accommodated 376,171 foreign tourists for the first quarter, up by 32 percent from 284,878 last year, the Department of Tourism-Boracay office said. 

Also in the list of top six inbound markets from January to March were United States with 7,912 visitors, Taiwan with 7,705, United Kingdom with 6,613 arrivals and Malaysia, 4,976.

The surge in tourist arrivals from neighboring countries was attributed to thriving cruise ship tourism, direct and chartered flights from mainland China, Korea and Taiwan to the province of Aklan.

By regional grouping, tourists from East Asia composed of Japan, Hong Kong, China, Korea and Taiwan had 306,362 arrivals. 

Visitors from Northern Europe (Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Ireland, United Kingdom and Finland) posted 11,559 arrivals followed by North America (Mexico, USA and Canada) with 10,517 and Southeast Asians had 9,131. 

Tourists from Western Europe (Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Germany and France) contributed 8,510 tourists.

With the shut down operations on April 26, the country's prime tourist destination will likely miss its 2-million target since local and foreign tourists are not allowed to enter Boracay Island within six months of rehabilitation and clean-up.  

First published by independent online blog Aklan Forum Journal. The unrestricted use in print, radio, publication and distribution of articles are allowed provided the original author and Aklan Forum Journal are credited.