While Boracay attracted close to a million foreign tourists last year, other destinations—notably Cebu—accounted for much more. Cebu attracted 2.2 million foreign tourists in 2017, more than twice Boracay’s arrivals mark of 986,920.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) will maintain its target of 7.4 million foreign tourist arrivals this year despite the closure of Boracay this month.
"The target will still be the same. We will meet (the target), we will work on it," Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo said.
Teo said that while Boracay remains top-of-mind for many foreign tourists, its temporary closure does not mean “an end to the (tourism) industry.”
While Boracay attracted close to a million foreign tourists last year, other destinations—notably Cebu—accounted for much more. Cebu attracted 2.2 million foreign tourists in 2017, more than twice Boracay’s arrivals mark of 986,920.
"That's almost 50% of our (2017) tourist arrivals, while Boracay is only less than one million,” Teo said.
The DOT will continue to promote beach destinations including Coron in Palawan, Bohol, Siargao, Samal, and Pagudpud, the DOT chief said.
But Teo assured the industry that the DOT will resume the promotions of Boracay after the island’s closure.
Aside from new campaign materials, Teo said the DOT will be undertaking “important events” in Boracay including another possible hosting of the Miss Universe Pageant.