DOT confident Boracay could accommodate five million tourists

The Department of Tourism (DOT)is confident that this resort island could achieve the five million tourists goal in a year if there's proper infrastructures and political will in place.

Atty. Helen Catalbas, DoT regional director, said that based on her computation in order to reach five million tourists, Boracay should accommodate around 13, 800 tourists on daily basis.

"Tourists just come and go. To reach the goal, the stakeholders and the local government unit should join together to ensure environmental sustainability in this resort island," said Catalbas Friday.

Aside from environmental sustainability, traffic should not also be a problem if the stakeholders cooperate well with the government.

The Aklan Provincial Government is targeting 1.75 million tourists by 2015. The year 2015 is considered as the busiest year for this resort island because of the expected heavy influx of tourists brought about by the hosting of the Asia Pacific Economic Conference.

At least 10 cruise ships were expected to dock in this resort island next year adding to the heavy volume of tourists expected to come to Boracay.

The heavy influx of tourism boost positive economic impact for the province.

Coop sets November for massive traditional collection of crown of thorns

The Sangkalikasan Producers Cooperative (SPC) in cooperation with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has scheduled the month of November for a massive manual gathering of the crown of thorns.

The crown of thorns belongs to a star fish specie that feeds on corals in this resort island.

In a phone interview, Virna Salac of the DOST Central Office said that the November event will also be supported by the Boracay Association of Divers, Globe Telecom and volunteers coming from the Universities of Bohol, Pangasinan and in Mindanao.

The SPC came up with the November plan after conducting consultations together with the DOST Officials in Central Office Wednesday.

"Currently, the problem of crown of thorns in Boracay is manageable. The DOST is supporting the SPC on their thrust as we do not want the problem (crown of thorns) to reach an alarming level," said Salac.

The DOST has earlier tapped the services of the SPC with its series of 'Filipinovation' projects all over the country.

"While right now, the SPC plans to collect the crown of thorns manually, the DOST is studying available scientific means on how to eradicate the problem of crown on thorns," said Salac.

The SPC earlier maintained that they should help in eradicating the problem on crown of thorns visibly seen in Boracay underwater in order to protect the coral reefs.

The coral reefs served as a habitat of marine lives especially on this resort island.

Pook Port in Kalibo nearing completion

The sea port in Barangay Pook, Kalibo, Aklan is now nearing completion.

"The Pook Port will serve as a new transport medium for tourists bound for Boracay. It is only a few meters away from the Kalibo International Airport (KIA)," said Niven Maquirang, Caticlan Jetty port administrator.

He added that the completion of the seaport is being rushed for the Asia Pacific Economic Conference in May 2015.

The Aklan Provincial Government has opened up a new seaport in Barangay Pook, Kalibo to lure high paying tourists to board a boat from the KIA. The boat that will be known as "Catamaran' will shorten tourists' travel by about 30 minutes to one hour.

From the KIA, tourists will take at least two hours of combined land and sea travel just to reach Boracay Island.

"The Aklan Provincial Government is also opening new a seaport in Boracay purposely to minimize traffic at the resort island," said Maquirang.

Meanwhile, the Aklan Provincial Government is also coordinating with the Philippines Ports Authority to open a new seaport in Barangay Bugtong Bato, Ibajay.

The Ibajay Seaport is meant to accommodate roll on-roll off (Ro-Ro) boats coming from both Mindoro and Batangas. Currently, Ro-Ro passengers use the Caticlan Jetty Port for departure and arrival, which worsens the increasing traffic problems in Malay.

Aklan tourism office urges tourists to try bikes

The Aklan Provincial Tourism Office is urging both foreign and local tourists to try the use of bikes in order to further experience different tourism sites in the province.

Rosselle Ruiz of the provincial tourism office said Wednesday that cycling aside from being cheap also has health benefits for tourists.

"Currently, we are already seeing a group of cyclists coming from different provinces enjoying the scenery," said Ruiz, adding that bike enthusiasts could organize group tours for a more enjoyable bike ride.

Aside from Boracay resort, which is already considered a premier tourism destination, cycling tourists could also enjoy the different mountains, hills, beaches, rice fields and rivers.

"We also remind cycling tourists to always ensure their gear for safety," Ruiz said.

The Aklan Provincial Tourism Office is currently preparing for a tourism week celebration this September.

Ati community in Boracay also preparing for APEC

 The Aeta people, a group of ethnic tribe in this resort island, is also preparing for the forthcoming Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) in 2015.

Sister Ma. Flor Almasco, a Catholic nun, said Tuesday that the indigenous community feels like they too could be able to benefit from the APEC summit.

The National Organizing Committee of APEC earlier said that Boracay will host the APEC trade ministers meeting by May of 2015.

"Part of the preparation is possible livelihood opportunities among the members of the Ati tribe for the APEC. This preparation is being supported by the National Commission on Indigenous People (NCIP)," said Almasco who currently serves as project coordinator of the Holy Rosary Parish.

The NCIP is currently facilitating the building of schools and other basic services centers for the Aetas.

BFI urges Malay LGU to ensure Boracay preparedness for APEC

The Boracay Foundation Incorporated (BFI) urged the local government of Malay to ensure the preparedness of this resort island for the forthcoming Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC).

Dionisio Salme, BFI president, said that the local government is spearheads the preparation of this resort island for APEC.

"Among the things that need to be cleared for APEC are the problems on flooding, traffic, peace and order situation. I hope these things will get better during the APEC meet," said Salme.

The National Organizing Committee of the APEC has chosen the month of May for Boracay to host at least two meetings particularly on trade. Aside from the ministers arriving, it is expected that their respective families would come along with them to enjoy this resort island.

Salme said that it is also expected that around 500 foreign media would be coming to cover the APEC meeting in this resort island.

"It is of a high possibility that the foreign media would also report if they discover social problems in Boracay. Thus, it is important that the current social problems would be resolved before APEC," said Salme.

The Department of Tourism has expressed support for the call of the BFI to ensure this resort island' preparedness for the APEC.

Boracay Dragons champion in US frisbee tourney

The Boracay Dragons Frisbee Team grabbed the championship in the US based frisbee competition held in Maryland, Washington DC on August 9-10.

In its official website, the Ocean City Beach Ultimate Frisbee Tournament considered the Boracay Dragons as the sole champion of the tournament. It was participated in by seven teams mostly from the United States.

They have made history as they are also considered as the first champion of the Ocean City Beach Competition.

Before the said Maryland competition, the Boracay Dragons won third place under the elite category in the 22nd Wildwoods Beach Ultimate. The event was held in New Jersey, USA on July 26-27, 2014.

There, they also made history as they were considered the first Asian team to compete in the said competition.

The Boracay Dragons, composed of local athletes from Aklan province, was formed in 2002.

Said US tour is part of the group’s preparation for the 2015 World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) World Championships of Beach Ultimate in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The team finished with a silver medal twice, first in Brazil 2007 against Australia and the last one against Team USA in Italy 2011.

The team has been carrying Philippine flag in all of their international competitions.

DoT urges private sector to help promote Boracay

The Department of Tourism (DoT)-Western Visayas is urging the private sector to join them in international endeavors in promoting this resort island.

Atty. Helen Catalbas, DoT regional director, said that they are only effective in promoting the initiative of the government for this resort island.

"But we could not be effective in promoting the initiatives of the private sector since they have different approaches and marketing strategies. This is why we encourage the private sector to join us in our marketing program," said Catalbas.

The DoT has recently conducted a Western Visayas Bureau Mission held in Malaysia and Singapore on July 7-12.

Also, DoT-WV will also be participating in the Philippines Travel Mart at SMX, Mall of Asia Manila on September 5-7.

Catalbas said the private sector could join them in the World Tourism Market to be held in London on November 3-6, 2014.

Also, there will be a Cruise Shipping Asia-Pacific Conference in Hongkong on November 20-21, 2014.

‘Keep tourists’ health in check’

Health authorities in Western Visayas were urged to ensure that foreign and local tourists in the region are safe from diseases.
“I believe our health authorities have the necessary equipment against Ebola virus and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus,” said Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director Helen Catalbas.
“I hope they continue to be vigilant to protect our tourists,” Catalbas said in a recent press conference here.
She stressed that the surge of tourists in the region help boost economic growth.
The World Health Organization had announced that the Ebola virus is already an international emergency.
At least seven overseas Filipino workers now in the country were being monitored on suspicion that they were infected by Ebola, the Department of Health had said.
DOT data showed there were some 951,964 foreign and local tourists in Western Visayas from January to July this year.
In the same period last year, the number of tourists was only 881,231.
The Top 10 foreign tourists in the region in terms of number were those from South Korea, 141, 615; China, 130,292; Taiwan, 25,765; United States, 14,420; Russia, 11,419; Singapore, 11,240; Australia, 10,651; Malaysia, 8,819; United Kingdom, 6,188; and Germany, 5,463.
Western Visayas is composed of Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Capiz, Guimaras, Aklan, and Antique./

Boracay to be transformed into a cruise tourism destination -- Aklan solon

Aklan Congressman Teodorico Haresco said that this resort island is now being developed into a hot cruise ship tourism destination.

One of its scheduled development is the soon to be bidding of the Boracay highway with the Department of Public Works and Highways. The government has allocated P40 million for its improvement.

"We need to improve the Boracay roads in order to ease traffic in the area. Experts on cruise tourism said that the current traffic congestion in this resort island turns off the cruise tourism industry," said Haresco.

It was learned that the Boracay circumferential road has already been finished years ago. However, the one way traffic highway was not immediately implemented because the road was damaged due to changing weather.

Once the circumferential road is fixed, Haresco said he hopes that it would lure more cruise ships coming to Boracay.

Report said that for the year 2015, Boracay is anticipating the arrival of at least 12 cruise ships. Highest numbers of cruise ship arrivals are expected first half of the year 2015.

In the recent international cruise ships conferences, the Philippines has Manila, Palawan and Boracay Island as possible cruise ship highways in Asia.

PNP to spearhead APEC 2015 security

The Philippine National Police is expected to head the peace and order for the Asia Pacific Economic Conference in 2015.

In an interview, Supt. Aden Lagradante, deputy provincial police chief for administration, said that special police forces coming from other countries may have to take a back seat for the security.

"If the APEC meeting would become peacefully successful, this will become a bragging rights for the PNP that it is capable of hosting international conventions and conferences," said Lagradante.

Currently, the PNP is still at the creation of framework stage for details of security arrangements for the APEC.

For his part, Police Senior Inspector Mark Evan Salvo, Boracay police chief, said in a separate interview that the police security arrangements for APEC have been divided into four parts.

That is planning, security preparations, actual implementation of peace and order and assessment.

Boracay Island has been considered as one of the hosts areas for the 2015 APEC.