BORACAY 2012: 1.2 MILLION TOURIST ARRIVALS aBOUT 33%↑ fROM 2011

While the target for 2012 for Boracay was 1Million tourist arrivals, this was exceeded.

Records showed that 1,206, 052 tourists were registered until December 31 this year, while in the previous year there were 908, 874 tourist arrivals.

The figures showed that there was about 33 percent increase of tourist arrivals in the resort island in 2012 compared to the previous year.

It was learned from Malay Municipal Tourism Chief Operation Officer, Felix Delos Santos that Koreans topped the list of arrivals at 156, 445.  This was followed by Taiwanese at 92, 009, and Chinese at 82, 358.

The 4^th in the number of tourist arrivals were Americans at 18, 283, followed by Russians, Australians, British, the People of Hongkong, Germans and Japanese and other nationalities.

DTI launched Prize Freeze in 8 towns of Aklan yesterday

The Department of Trade and Industry or DTI-Aklan launched its Price Control or Prize Freeze for the basic commodities in Kalibo effective yesterday, January 3, 2013.

This is after The Provincial Council declared Kalibo along with 7 other town to be under the Sate of Calamity in the wake of the flooding due to Typhoon Quinta last December 26.

According to DTI-Aklan Director Diosdado Cadena, they have already started monitoring the prices of the basic commodities in the mentioned town.

Cadena explained, while basing it with the prices last December 17, 2012, the 7 products that they are now monitoring are sardines, milk, coffee, detergent soaps, candles, bread and salt.

Meanwhile, the price control over fish, corn and other agriculture products are under the Department of Agriculture, while the DENR will control over the prices of coal and “nipa palms” used for thatching roofs.

ZERO FIRE CRACKER INCIDENT iN BORACAY iN tHE CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

There was Zero Fire Cracker incident in Boracay in celebrating the arrival of 2013.

Regarding this, the Boracay Police was thankful.

This was stated by P/S Inspector Fidel Gentallan, the Deputy Chief of the Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC).

In the previous year’s New Year celebration, one victim of firecracker was registered.

This year, the Deputy Chief delightedly declared that the celebration of Christmas and New Year was peaceful with the help of authorities in ensuring the safety of everyone.

According to Gentallan, aside from the “Zero Fire Cracker Incident” this year, there was no crime or incident related to the Christmas and New Year Celebrations that was registered.

This was despite the very high number of tourist arrivals for this year’s celebrations compared to the previous years.

Lady Boys in Boracay, a dilemma

The Boracay Police admitted the fact that the “lady boys” have become such a dilemma in the island of Boracay.

In an interview with Boracay Tourist Assistance Center or BTAC Deputy Chief P/S Insp. Fidel Gentallan, he said that they have heard many speculations about these lady boys’ activities that could entice foreign tourists especially during the wee hours of the morning.

The Police had actually identified some of them who are involved in such activities.

He added, that if spotted they would take the chance to talk and make them leave their “posts.”

The authorities also find it hard to catch these lady boys on act.

It seems he said that they too are monitoring the police, but they could also apprehend one of them sometimes.

However, in some cases where in the stolen objects were returned, the filing of case will be held back the reason why others would do it repeatedly.

In 2012 it had became a “trend”  wherein these lady boys would stop foreign tourist, particularly those intoxicated, at the front beach to offer them their services and would rob them after.

FIREWORKS DISPLAY & MUS♪C USHERED tHE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION iN BORACAY

Screams and yells joined the sound of fireworks which started the celebration for the beginning of the New Year in Boracay Island.

The famous Front Beach of Boracay was filled with locals and foreigners awaiting the display of fireworks from resorts on Monday night, the 31^st of December.

Although some feared that the fireworks display would not take place due to heavy rain, a few hours before 12 midnight, one hour before lighting time, the weather became better.

Half minute before twelve midnight, fireworks started to light the sky over Boracay island, and lasted until around one in the morning which revelers referred to as extension time.

Music was also played from establishments along the shore as tourists and locals celebrated the arrival of 2013.

The fireworks display in Boracay is awaited yearly by some revelers who were interviewed. This, they said, is better than lighting firecrackers themselves at their homes which is prone to accidents.