Boracay to open its doors again to tourism
After nearly two years of strict border controls, the world-famous island of Boracay will open its doors again to fully vaccinated travelers starting February 10.
The Philippine government will simplify border control rules for fully vaccinated persons – foreigners and returning Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) alike. The provincial government of Aklan will allow travelers to visit the island without the mandatory presentation of RT-PCR test results.
Aklan Governor Florencio “Joeben” Tumbocon Miraflores issued an executive order on Tuesday, February 1.
Aklan tourism officer Felix De Los Santos said that they considered the wellbeing of both the tourists and locals.
“…nasisigurado po na nandiyan pa rin ‘yong health and safety protocol natin for the protection of our tourists as well as with our community,” he said.
De Los Santos added that the island needs foreign tourists to recover from the pandemic. The population of the island mainly relies on tourism for their livelihood.
“…if ever talagang ‘di makapasok ‘yong foreign tourist natin, hindi siya makakabawi,” he stressed.
Last month, Aklan restricted entry to the province because of the surge of COVID cases in the country. However, due to the national government suspending its risk classification list for countries, the province eased its border controls.
Tourism in the Philippines
Presidential Spokesman Karlo Nograles said that foreigners could enter the Philippines for either tourism or business purposes.
Mandatory quarantine is no longer required for fully vaccinated tourists and returning Filipinos. A negative RT-PCR test done within 48 hours before their departure from abroad is the only requirement needed from them.
Furthermore, they will ensure the proper implementation of health and safety protocols in the tourism spots, said Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Puyat.
“We are confident that we will be able to keep pace with our ASEAN neighbors who have already made similar strides to reopen to foreign tourists,” she stated.
All tourists bound for Boracay must fill out a contact tracing form and get a QR Code from https://www.touristboracay.com/.
