Boracay's daily tourists top 7K as COVID-19 curbs ease, PNP says

The number of daily tourist arrivals on Boracay Island has breached the 7,000 mark as the country eased COVID-19 restrictions, the Malay, Aklan Police said Wednesday.

Interviewed on Dobol B TV, Malay, Aklan Police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Don Dicksie de Dios said the average daily tourists in the island is around 5,000.

“Actually umabot na kami ngayon ... na-breach na namin ang 7,000 mark lalo kapag medyo parating na yung Thursday, Friday. Siyempre pa-weekend, ‘yan yung talagang buhos ng arrivals ng mga turista natin,” he said.

(Actually, we already breached the 7,000 mark especially during Thursdays, Fridays. Of course it is near the weekend, so tourist arrivals will surge.)

De Dios said most of the visitors were local tourists. According to him, arrivals of foreign tourists are anticipated this month after the country eased the entry of vaccinated foreign nationals to the country.

Thus, Kalibo International Airport and Caticlan Airport officials are preparing for the expected increase in arrivals of foreign tourists, he added.

About 80% of business establishments in Boracay are already operational, De Dios said.

According to him, contact sports are still not allowed in Boracay as authorities are still enforcing minimum public health standards in the island destination.

De Dios noted that the booking rates in the island have increased because the peak season has already started. —LBG, GMA News