Despite travel warnings on PHL, foreigners still flock to Boracay

Published November 12, 2010 1:56pm

Despite travel warnings from at least six countries on possible terrorist attacks on the Philippines, Boracay Island remains a favorite vacation spot of foreigners. The Department of Tourism in Western Visayas said foreign nationals from the United Kingdom and United States still flock to the world-famous island. It added tourists from Australia, Canada and New Zealand are also going there, according to a report on Friday of the Iloilo-based news site The News Today. The five countries â€” United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand â€” along with France, had issued travel advisories to their nationals, warning of possible terrorist attacks in the Philippines. Citing DOT figures, the report said that from January to October, Boracay had:

5,441 visitors from Australia;

3,497 from Canada;

398 from New Zealand;

5,231, from UK; and

11, 982 from the US. Boracay had also more than 20,000 tourists coming from European countries such as:

France;

Germany;

Russia;

Sweden,

and Switzerland. The DOT Western Visayas said this is a good indication that tourists feel safe in visiting the country. In October alone, Asian tourists include:

9,164 Koreans;

2,271 Chinese, and

4,492 Taiwanese. The peak season in Boracay builds up during the third quarter of the year and lasts until summer the following year. â€“ VVP, GMANews.TV

Tags: traveladvisory, travelwarning, departmentofforeignaffairs, boracay