The Provincial Government of Aklan has lifted the submission of hotel vouchers as a requirement to enter Boracay island in Malay town.
Aklan Gov. Jose Enrique Miraflores issued Executive Number 097 Series of 2023 on Nov. 15, which orders the lifting of the implementation of EO No. 009, series of 2022 that requires visitors to submit hotel vouchers via the AKQUIRE system in the province of Aklan, particularly in Boracay island.
Previously, Miraflores issued EO No. 003 on July 4, 2022, and EO No. 0047 on October 25, 2022, which mandated the lifting of imposition of QR code requirements to enter the province for returning Aklanons and tourists, respectively.
Miraflores said that such steps are in response to the pronouncement of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on tourism as an engine of growth and that Local Government Units of tourist destinations shall start easing travel requirements for tourists.
In removing the hotel voucher, tourists need only to go to the Tourist Registration Center at Jetty Port before proceeding to the Payment Counter and Seacraft boarding.
However, tourists and travelers are strictly reminded and highly encouraged to book only to accommodation establishments that are accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT). This is to ensure the security and safety of the travelers as well as to avoid further inconvenience to guests who are having their vacation on the famed island.
Following the issuance of EO No. 097, the Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI) expressed its happiness with the latest development on the island that further relaxes the policy on tourists’ entry to the island.
In a media interview, Dindo Salazar, Chairman of BFI, noted that they positively welcome such a step of the provincial government because it will
have a huge impact and help Boracay Island, which is considered one of the top destinations for both local and foreign tourists.
Salazar stressed that stakeholders actually requested the provincial government to drop the hotel voucher requirement as this is one of the reasons that many tourists are reluctant to go to the island, and with this development, BFI is confident that it will help attract more tourists to spend their vacation in Boracay Island.
Aside from the hotel voucher requirement, Miraflores also revealed some changes in regulations in Boracay Island as discussed during the 2nd Boracay-Caticlan Sustainable Development Council (BCSDC) Meeting in Boracay Island.
The white beaches of Boracay become more open as guests and tourists are now allowed to bring with them their beach beds and umbrellas, and night swimming is extended to 9:00 p.m.
Also, food and drinks are now allowed in party boats.
The provincial government of Aklan likewise suspended the P20,000 fee for foreign tour guides, and there is a continuous dialogue on having a unified ticket at the jetty port. (PIA-Aklan)
