The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Philippines has imposed ‘close out dates’ for cruise ships visiting Boracay Island in a bid to manage the carrying capacity of island and in light of an expected surge in tourist arrivals during summer time.
The Department has specifically tightened its limits from 16 April to 31st May 2019, while other close out days set within the year are as follows:
- 26 October to 8 November 2019 – All Saints and All Souls Day
- 23 November to 5 January 2020 – SEA Games, Christmas and the New Year
Meanwhile, videos and photos of cruise ships docking in Boracay Island made headlines on social media during the close out dates, but the department noted these materials were old and were presented to be new.
The Department of Tourism assures the public that there was no entry of cruise ships to Boracay Island since the start of the close out dates from April 16 to May 31, 2019.
…it said in an official statement.
There is also no schedule for cruise ship agents to arrange arrivals to the island within these dates.
The close out dates were agreed upon on 28 December 2018 between the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF), the Philippine Ports Authority, Aklan Port, Tourism Congress of the Philippines, Boracay Foundation and all Cruise Lines, Port Agents, and Shore Excursion Companies operating in the Philippines.
We remind the public to be more mindful in posting or sharing old videos and pictures of cruise ships in Boracay Island, and presenting them as a new incident, as this may cause unnecessary alarm.
