Boracay posts record-high foreign tourist arrivals in July

More than 16,000 foreigners visited the famous island of Boracay in the Malay town of Aklan in July, the highest so far this year, based on data from the Malay Municipal Tourism Office.

A total of 16,730 foreign tourist arrivals were recorded in Boracay from July 1 to July 31, 2022. This is significantly higher compared to 6,873 foreigners who visited the island in June and 4,268 foreign nationals in May, and 4,737 in April.

Notably, there is a slight decrease in the number domestic tourist arrivals in the island in July with only 160,259 domestic tourists compared to 182,508 domestic tourists last June 1-30.

Meanwhile, a total of 6,107 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) visited the island from July 1 to July 31.

The island saw the increase in the number of foreign tourists following the resumption of international flights in the island and the easing of Covid-19 protocols.

Last June, direct chartered flights from Incheon, South Korea to Boracay resumed at the Kalibo International Airport in Kalibo, Aklan.

Currently, two airline companies offer direct flights from South Korea.

Beginning Feb. 10, fully vaccinated foreign tourists from visa-free countries have been allowed to visit the country.

The country has also allowed the entry of fully vaccinated foreigners from visa-required countries without exemption document last April provided they comply with necessary immigration, visa requirements and other procedures set by the government. (DG)