Tourist arrivals in Philippines high despite Boracay closure
The Philippines welcomed a record number of tourists to its beaches and diving spots last year despite the six-month closure of well-known destination Boracay island.
Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippineswelcomed a record number of tourists to its beaches and diving spots last yeardespite the six-month closure of well-known destination Boracay island.
The country of more than 7,000 islandswitnessed an increase of nearly 8 percent in tourist arrivals, with theRepublic of Korea (RoK) the largest source.
Before the closure of Boracay from April –October 2018 at the order of President Rodrigo Duterte due to worseningpollution, the resort island welcomed more than 2 million visitors each year.
Philippine Tourism Minister BernadetteRomulo Puyat described the shutdown as a sound decision, adding that some of tourismtraffic was diverted to other destinations such as Palawan and Siargao.
While the RoK led in tourist arrivals in thePhilippines with 1.6 million people, China came second with a 30 percent riseto 1.3 million people, while those from the US numbered 1 million.-VNA
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In Boracay, the Philippines (Source: AFP) 
