Wednesday, September 23, 2020
The Philippines has decided to reopen Boracay Island, one of its major tourist attractions to more visitors, starting October 1. The move comes after the country planned to rely on locals to revive its pandemic-hit tourism sector.
Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon informed in a recent press statement that tourists from areas under general community quarantine, including the capital Manila, will be allowed on the island next month as long as they have tested negative from COVID-19 and have pre-booked accommodations.
Most Filipinos are already looking forward to travel locally even without vaccine. The reopening of Boracay, which was recently open only to residents and visitors from neighboring provinces, comes as the nation pushes for further economic activity despite having the most infections in Southeast Asia. The central Philippine island famous for its powdery white sand beaches drew 2 million tourists last year mainly from China and South Korea. Earlier this month, the Department of Tourism said that it foresees international tourism, mainly from the region, to resume by the second half of 2021. Tourism accounted for almost 13% of the Philippines’ economic output last year.
Tags: Boracay Island, Coronavirus, Covid-19, the Philippines
