Tourism Sec. Bernadette Puyat: ‘Tourists should manage expectations on Boracay’

MANILA, Philippines — Tourists should manage their expectations of Boracay after the island remained as one of the best in Asia as voted by readers of Conde Nast Traveler, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said yesterday.

“It is an honor for our destinations to be voted once again in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards. This serves as an invitation to the tourists in time for the winter vacation,” Puyat said in a statement.

Despite its closure to tourists, Boracay remains of interest to foreign tourists as it secured second spot on the list.

“This itty-bitty island (just under four square miles) in the Western Philippines is as close to a tropical idyll as you’ll find in Southeast Asia, with gentle coastlines and made-for-Instagram sunsets. Fold in a thriving nightlife scene, and you have one of the top tourist spots in the region,” the magazine said.

It also cited Boracay’s White Beach as a main draw, with powdery white sand and shallow azure water ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

The island is not new to the list as it was voted the best island in the world by readers last year.

“We would like to take this opportunity to tell our tourists to manage their expectations on Boracay’s soft opening. We also encourage them to be mindful and responsible tourists of the island,” Puyat said.

Boracay, which is currently undergoing rehabilitation, is set for a soft opening on Oct. 26.

Puyat earlier said the rehabilitation of the island would continue even after its soft opening, as it will be done in phases.

Completion of the first phase of the rehabilitation will be in October, Phase 2 by the middle of 2019 and Phase 3 by the end of 2019.

“This is to make sure that all tourism establishments and service providers are compliant with the standards set by the government and that all necessary infrastructure and facilities are in place,” Puyat said.

Apart from Boracay, two other islands – Siargao and Palawan – were also voted by Conde Nast Traveler readers as among the best in Asia.

Siargao ranked first, driven by the island’s popularity among surfers. The magazine cited the island’s

Palawan grabbed No. 3 spot this year, anchored on “the otherworldly Puerto Princesa Subterranean River, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.”

Many tourists make El Nido and its blue lagoon their base to explore the Bacuit archipelago, Conde Nast Traveler said.

The three Philippine islands were joined by Langkawi in Malaysia and Bali in Indonesia in the top 5 best islands in Asia.

In July, readers of international magazine Travel+Leisure voted Palawan and Cebu as among the top islands in the world, ranking sixth and eighth, respectively.