Palace spokesman Harry Roque invited Filipinos to visit Boracay as the country continues efforts to revive the tourism industry.
“Panahon na po para tayo naman po ay magbakasyon matapos ang napakatagal na lockdown lalung-lalo na sa Metro Manila. Naghihintay na po ang pinakamagandang beach sa buong mundo – Boracay – open for business,” he said in a virtual presser.
Boracay reopened its doors to tourists from general community quarantine areas last Thursday but saw a cold reception as only 35 tourists arrived.
Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores Jr. said Boracay remained Covid-free and assured health measures were in place to prevent the virus from reaching the tourist spot.
“Sa ating mga turista na darating dito, you’re safe here in Boracay… Wala dapat ikabahala ang mga turista na pumunta dito kasi, iyon nga, binigyan na namin sila ng lahat ng privilege,” he said in the same briefing.
“Ang kailangan lang ay kaunting confidence. Kasi alam ko na ang takot nandiyan pa rin. The fear of travel is still there but kung titingnan ninyo nga, ang sinasabi, ‘ingat sa buhay para may hanapbuhay,’” he added.
The Aklan governor said he expected more tourists to flock to Boracay in the coming weeks.
“Sa tingin namin in the next few weeks or in the next few months, ang mga turista sa Boracay ay babalik dahil sa nakikita nila ngayon, ang ganda ganda ng Boracay. Bumalik sa dating estado ang Boracay from the 1980s to 1990s ang ganda ng beach,” Miraflores said.
According to Miraflores, establishments in Boracay offered discounts of up to 75 percent.
Tourists traveling to Boracay would be required to undergo Covid-19 tests before traveling and immediately undergo quarantine until their date of travel to the island. John Ezekiel J. Hirro