Western Visayas stands to lose one-third of its biggest tourism contributor once the temporary closure of the island of Boracay takes effect this April 26. Data from the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 showed that in 2017, of the 5,852,937 tourists who visited Western Visayas, 2,220, 821 were from Aklan. Boracay contributed 34 percent or 2,001,974 tourists, earning PHP56.15 billion in tourism receipts last year. Lawyer Helen J. Catalbas, DOT Regional Director, on Tuesday said that in 2008 “its carrying capacity was reached but it was known only very recently through studies conducted.”

W. Visayas to lose third of tourism receipts due to Boracay closure. (2018, April 12). Panay News, p. B1.