AKLAN, Philippines – The Korean Community Association of Boracay (KCAB) urged the local government of Aklan on Friday, November 18, to further ease travel restrictions to the resort island of Boracay to boost tourist arrivals.
Soojin Kim Lee, newly elected KCAB president, said the group met on Tuesday, November 15, to discuss their plans for 2023, especially in the promotion of Boracay to their compatriots abroad.
Lee, a former journalist turned hotelier, said the long process of queueing to manually submit health compliance requirements and the island’s expensive hotel rates are major obstacles to attracting more visitors.
The Malay Tourism Office data showed that in 2019, around 400,600 South Korean tourists visited this resort island, making them the second biggest foreign group after the Chinese.
“Another issue is the expensive living in Boracay, even for residents, compared to other Asian destinations, which are cheaper,” she added.
“We also hope that South Korean tourists would feel welcome once they are in Boracay,” she added.
There are 256 members of KCAB in this resort island.
“For 2023, we are planning to help for voluntary socialism such as helping public schools in Boracay , contributing to the island’s peace. We are also planning to help young fellow South Koreans who want to stay on this resort island,” she said.
Rappler tried to seek Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores for comment but he has yet to reply to our queries. – Rappler.com
