KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) --  Aklan’s tourism industry is now on track to full recovery according to Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores.

Miraflores revealed this during his State of the Province Address (SOPA) recently at the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Session Hall attended by Aklan mayors, SP members, heads and representatives of national government agencies, non-government organizations, and the local media.

“Last year, we have successfully participated in the 33rd Philippine Travel Mart, which generated renewed interest in Aklan’s tourist attractions, culture, and food," said Miraflores.

He also noted that through the province's tourism office, it has once again took pride in showcasing the reasons why tourists love Aklan in the 34th Philippine Travel Mart on September 1 to September 3 in the SM Mall of Asia,” the governor shared.

Miraflores also revealed that tourist arrivals in Boracay Island continue to surge and is expected to reach or even exceed pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023.

Miraflores added that matched with relaxed restrictions on travel, the increase in terminal fee will be fueling the surge in collections. WIth this, the province hopes to continue in pusuing its health services improvement programs which were slowed down during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He reported that facilities in the terminal area in Caticlan, Malay, Aklan are also continuously being improved.

“We installed a new ramp to accommodate more sea vessels, a new canopy for better convenience for our passengers, and concreted the road at the reclamation area,” the governor revealed.

The provincial government is also proposing the Aklan Provincial MARINA Project which seeks to transform the present reclamation area into a hub for cruise ship tourism with vertical and horizontal infrastructure and modern facilities.

Moreover, facilities and equipment of the Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital in Boracay Island have been upgraded, ensuring that tourists can receive proper medical attention, and if needed, a sea ambulance is available through the patient navigation and referral unit to transfer them to the mainland.

Aside from the top official's update on the tourism industry in Aklan, his SOPA also focused on health services, agriculture, economy, youth and education, social services, and governance, which are the sectors that his administration promised to prioritize. (AGP/VGV/PIA Aklan)