DOT prepares for tourism’s ebb in Boracay

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is preparing for an expected drop in tourist arrivals in Boracay amid the government’s crackdown on business establishments violating environmental laws in the island resort.

“We are ready for that. We know that people love to go to Boracay. What we want to make is an appeal that, for the meantime, as we make the island recover and bring back its paradise feel, we can  direct them to other destinations,” Tourism Undersecretary Frederick Alegre said in an interview on GMA News’ “News to Go” on Wednesday.

“‘Yan ang advantage natin. There are many other destinations they can go to,” Alegre said.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu has tasked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources regional office to issue notices of violations and closure orders on some 300 business establishments in Boracay for supposedly violating environmental laws.

Duterte threatened to shut down the island resort if environmental issues are not addressed in six months. The President tasked Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu to lead a task force that will address problems within the prescribed period.

Alegre said Boracay brings in so much income in terms of tourism receipts, “but we have to do this if we want to maintain it.”

In January to October 2017, Boracay island was visited by 1.669 million tourists and generated P46.526 billion in tourism receipts, data from the Aklan Provincial Tourism Office showed.

Foreigners and Filipinos who live abroad accounted for P31.769 billion of the tourism-related revenue, while domestic tourists spent P14.757 billion. —Ted Cordero/VDS, GMA News