Aklan faces tourist surge resulting in QR code system crashing due to big number of people wishing to visit Boracay Island.
AS expected after the easing of travel restrictions, Aklan where world-famous Boracay Island is located, now faces a new kind of surge.
Two weeks ago, Boracay opened its doors to tourists who are fully vaccinated without the need of an RT-PCR test.
It is a welcome relief to the island as tourists will breathe life to their economy after the forced shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.
No new active cases on the island have been recorded since October 18.
In addition, if the tourist only had one jab of the vaccine or not vaccinated at all, he is still welcome but will need to present a negative RT-PCR test.
However, with the surge of tourists comes a deluge of difficulties.
On November 16, Aklan provincial government's system that issues QR codes to tourists crashed due to sheer huge number of visitors wishing to get their clearance for a visit.
Problems with their QR code system started from the weekend of November 13.
That led to some of the tourists getting delayed or even completely missing their flights.
This prompted Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat to give a warning to the Aklan government.
“While the [DOT] understands the challenges and restrictions that hamper the [local government units], it notes the importance of timely facilitation of such requests imposed on the visitors by the LGUs themselves,” Puyat said.
“There are improvements, yes, but they have to step up more. They need to simplify the process. This is nothing compared to the Christmas season, when more tourists are expected to spend their holiday in Boracay,” said added.
She is highlighting that the Aklan government should still simplify its travel requirements and protocols to better serve the continuous flow of tourists in Boracay.
Especially in time for the holiday season.
The Aklan provincial government is presumably processing some 1,000 - 1,500 daily applications of QR codes for tourists going in and out of the island.
Travelers bound for Boracay are required to secure a QR code before they can board an aircraft bound for Caticlan Airport.
Tags: #tourism, #Boracay, #Covid-19, #travelrestrictions, #QRCodesystem, #DOT, #Sec.BernaRomuloPuyat