Aklan tourism is now a P4-billion industry
Kalibo, Aklan -- Tourism, said Aklan Governor Carlito S. Marquez in his recently-delivered "State of the Province Address (SOPA), "continuous to be an anchor industry of our province. By the end of last year, we nearly hit the half-a-million mark in terms of number of domestic and foreign visitors."
Marquez said Boracay's tourist arrivals for 2005 were 499,452. Of this number, 155,739 were foreign visitors while the remaining 343,713 were local tourists. The arrivals of these tourists in the world famous paradise island of Boracay generated an estimated P3.8 billion in tourism receipts, money which circulated into Aklan's mainstream economy.
Marquez said that in preparing the province, particularly the resort island of Boracay for the projection of one million tourist by 2010, the province has committed P1 million for the purchase of land ferry service (multicabs) which maybe leased out to a transport cooperative in Malay to cater to the needs for transportation facilities of Boracay residents and workers at comparatively lower fare rate. He also said the province appropriated P1 million to promote and market alternative tourist destinations of the province like the Manggad it Kalibo in the Mangrove Eco Park, the Bugna It Tangalan Jawili Falls and the Hurom-Hurom Cold Springs of the town of Nabas.
The tourism industry in Boracay is also a big in factor in generating jobs in the province. Boracay's existence is instrumental in the direct employment of more than 5,000 skilled and unskilled workers, 56 percent of which are Aklanons, engaged in various services in the island and employed by tourism-related businesses in the prime tourist destination of the country - a ready answer to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's call for job generation and livelihood opportunities.
Governor Marquez delivered his State of the Province Address at the Aklan SP Session Hall before Sangguniang Panlalawigan Members, heads and representatives of national and provincial government offices, mayors, non-government organizations, people's organizations and the local media.
(VG Villanueva/PIA)