BORACAY ISLAND — The popular Philippine tourist destination, Boracay Island, marked the arrival of its second cruise ship this month, bringing in 2,700 guests and crew members on Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the MS Westerdam of the Holland America Line arrived just four days after the MV Norwegian Jewel of the Norwegian Cruise Line, with the island hosting a total of four cruise ships this year. Delos Santos noted in a phone interview that the visit, although brief, is seen as a vital promotional opportunity with the hope that guests will return for longer stays after their initial experience.
The guests’ short stay included shopping for local products and island hopping, activities that contribute to the local economy. Delos Santos pointed out that the island's tourism figures have already exceeded the 2023 target of 1.8 million visitors. Official data reveal that from January to October, Boracay welcomed 1,791,594 visitors, and with an additional 26,030 tourists recorded from November 1-5, the number reached 1,817,624.
With tourist numbers expected to maintain at 100,000 monthly arrivals, Delos Santos expressed optimism that Boracay could regain its pre-pandemic influx of two million visitors. The 2022 tourist count stood at 1,759,592, a figure already surpassed this October.