Boracay Island, the world-renowned beach destination in Malay, Aklan, experienced a 4.92 percent decline in tourist arrivals from January to August this year, according to latest data from the Malay Tourism Office.
The island recorded only 1.4 million tourist arrivals, a drop of over 75,000 visitors compared to the 1.5 million recorded during the same period last year.
In August alone, Boracay welcomed 127,459 domestic tourists, down from 138,819 in the same month of 2023.
Foreign tourist numbers also fell significantly, with only 30,596 recorded in August 2024—a 19.46 percent decrease from the 37,990 foreign visitors noted last year. The majority of international tourists hailed from South Korea, Taiwan, and the United States.
The Tourism Office attributes the decline primarily to the decrease in Chinese tourist arrivals due to ongoing maritime disputes, as well as limited regional flights to Kalibo International Airport and Caticlan Airport from major hubs like Incheon, South Korea, and Taipei, Taiwan.
Despite the drop, Boracay still managed to cater to 1.1 million domestic tourists and 292,385 foreign nationals in the first eight months of the year. The months of May, June, and July alone accounted for 480,570 domestic travelers, representing 42 percent of total arrivals.
Although international visitor numbers have dipped, Boracay remains optimistic, forecasting over 2.3 million tourists by the end of 2024.
Last year, the island attracted around 2.1 million tourists. Boracay continues to shine on the global stage, being recognized recently as one of the “8 Most Visited Island Destinations in Asia” by Times Travel of the Times of India.
The allure of Boracay remains strong, but the island faces ongoing challenges that need addressing to sustain and boost its tourism industry in the coming months.
