Travellers continue visiting Philippines despite Boracay’s closure

12 Jul 2018 2092 | World Travel News

The impact of Boracay’s temporary closure is not as widespread as anticipated, with foreign arrivals to the Philippines still increasing and filling up other resort destinations in the country, according to tourism stakeholders interviewed.

Philippine tourism undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr said that despite the island’s closure in late April, foreign visitor arrivals into the country managed to grow slightly by 0.9 per cent in May and by 10.2 per cent to 3.2 million in January-May.

Tourists are opting for other Philippine destinations like Cebu, Palawan and Bohol; pictured, Sumilon island beach near Oslob, Cebu

One notable brights spot is the 43.8 per cent uptick in arrivals from China – displacing the US as destination’s second biggest market after South Korea – and the diversion of tourists to other destinations including Cebu, Bohol and Palawan, Bengzon pointed out in a presentation during the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) general membership meeting.

HSMA chair Margie Munsayac, who is also vice president of sales and marketing of Bluewater Resorts in Cebu and Bohol, said that while the South Koreans and Chinese were affected by Boracay’s closure, many of them rebooked to other destinations like Cebu and Bohol which are currently “enjoying very good occupancy”, including for city hotels.