Boracay business group may retract opposition to cruise ship operators

The Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) is reviewing its earlier position on cruise ships making a beeline to this resort island.

BFI President Maylynn A. Graf said the business organization has been opposing the cruise ship industry after authorities cited Boracay’s environmental degradation.

Graf noted cruise ships included Boracay as a stop after Aklan Gov. Florencio T. Miraflores signed in 2015 a memorandum of understanding with the Miami, Florida-headquartered Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

“Right now, since Boracay is already environmentally safe, we are considering to support the cruise ship tourism. We are, however, still studying if we could officially support it,” Graf said.

Graf said BFI’s review comes after Boracay was reopened to tourists on October 26, six months after it was closed for rehabilitation. She also noted reports saying a cruise ship will be arriving in Boracay on December 18 bringing some 3,000 tourists.

Earlier, Niven Maquirang, Caticlan and Cagban jetty port administrator, said they are expecting some 28 cruise ship port calls at Boracay next year.