Batanes island tourist arrivals up

BASCO, Philippines — Tourist arrivals on Sabtang island in Batanes increased by 42.07 percent in the first quarter of the year compared to the same period last year, according to the municipal tourism office.

Tourism officer Russel Gecha said the municipal government earned P3.5 million from disembarkation fees collected from tourists at P250 per person.

Gecha said owners of motorboats that ferry tourists to Sabtang from Batan island earned P2.01 million from the P150 fare they collect per passenger.