Boracay Island is now ready to accept foreign tourists.
Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores believes Boracay Island is now ready to accept foreign tourists.
ANTICIPATING the surge in visitors which will likely include foreign tourists following the rollout of Covid-19 vaccines in many countries, and the anticipated start of nationwide immunization campaign anytime soon, Boracay Island is busy preparing itself for what looms to be a very busy summer.
In an interview, Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores declared that the world-famous tourist destination is now ready to accept visitors including foreign guests.
“Boracay Island is now ready to re-accept foreign tourists,” he said.
Miraflores said they have been working overtime to prepare the island and make its tourism facilities and resorts ready to accept and accommodate foreign visitors.
Quarantine facilities are also being readied in case visitors would catch Covid-19 while on the island.
Since last October, only local tourists are allowed to visit the island albeit in a limited number to prevent the rise in Covid-19 cases.
To recall, the island was previously ordered close in 2018 for rehabilitation and makeover on orders of President Rodrigo Duterte.
With the rollout of the vaccines, the island, however, is raring to cash in by welcoming more guests and introducing new tourism-related events and activities.
Some of the requirements that the local tourism authorities have drawn up include visitors will have to show a negative RT-PCR test result taken 72 hours before travel.
They also must have hotel confirmation from a DOT-accredited accommodation establishment issued with a certificate of authority to operate (CAO).
Likewise, they are required to present a valid ID showing proof of residence in an area under general community quarantine (GCQ) or modified GCQ; and a completed online health declaration form.
So far, Boracay has not recorded local transmission but Miraflores said the new coronavirus UK variant, and delays in the delivery of expected vaccines could possibly dampen the reopening of the island resort to foreign visitors.