Boracay tourist arrivals up despite economic crisis, H1N1 flu
ILOILO
CITY, July 3 (PNA) -– The tourist arrivals in the internationally
renown Boracay island has increased despite the global economic crisis
and the reported cases of A(H1N1) flu.
Department
of Tourism (DOT) Regional Dir. Edwin Trompeta said that the tourism
industry in Boracay and in the entire Western Visayas has remained to
be strong despite the problems.
Recent
report by the DOT Regional Office VI showed that from January to May
2009, a total of 337,666 tourist arrivals in the paradise-island or
5.16 percent higher than the 321,094 during the same period in 2008.
Of
the these arrivals, Korea ranked first with 30,369. Korea has been
consistent in topping the list because of the number of Korean students
who are here to study and who take time out to visit Boracay island in
Aklan province, together with their vacationing parents.
Second
is China with 11,084 tourists. The direct flight from China to Kalibo
has contributed much to the high number of Chinese tourists.
Tourists
from Taiwan also ranked third with 7,014; United States of America, 4th
with 6,155; Hong Kong, 5th with 3,201; United Kingdom, 6th, 2,835;
Australia, 7th with 2,669; Germany, 8th with 2,660; Japan, 9th with
2,357; and Canada, 10th with 2,264. (PNA)
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