Boracay closure good for other west Visayas destinations

BACOLOD CITY -- The closure of Boracay island would have a positive effect to other provinces in Western Visayas which also have unique attractions that could bring in more tourists to the region, a Department of Tourism (DOT) official has said.

DOT-6 Regional Director Helen Catalbas said that although Aklan’s Boracay island is a major industry contributor, its closure would hardly make a dent to the entire tourism sector.

Catalbas was in Bacolod on Monday for the Tourism Enterprise Innovation and Self-Reinvention Seminar held at GT Hotel.

“Aklan tourism would suffer because it is where Boracay is located, but the rest of the region would be affected positively,” she said, adding that other places in Region 6 have yet to unleash their full potentials.

Catalbas said part of the island-destination market would go to other provinces as long as they could offer similar tourist experience, and these other destinations would compensate for the possible reduction in the number of tourists in Western Visayas.

Region 6 registered 5.8 million in tourist arrivals in 2017, higher than the year’s target of 5.5 million.

For 2018, the target is at least 5.8 million and in 2019, the region’s goal is to attract 6.1 million tourists.

“We are a year ahead of our target,” Catalbas said.

In 2017, Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, registered 1.72 million in tourist arrivals, or 29 percent of the region’s total visitors. It came in second to Aklan, which had 2.2 million visitors, or 38 percent of the total arrivals.

Catalbas said other provinces in Western Visayas need to increase their tourist arrivals by at least 1.2 million this year to compensate for the possible losses to be brought by the six-month closure of Boracay starting April 26.

“If we can strengthen our other provincial destinations, I am sure we can compensate,” she added. (PNA)