23/12/2025
Boracay Crowded but Foreign Tourist Numbers Continue to Slide
Boracay remains a top island destination, but interest from foreign tourists is declining despite strong overall visitor numbers.
As of November 15, 2024, the Malay Tourism Office recorded 1.8 million visitors to Boracay. Most were domestic travelers at 1.42 million, while foreign tourists numbered 356,250 and overseas Filipinos totaled 19,836. This is a sharp drop from 2019, when the island welcomed around one million foreign visitors alone.
Tourism groups say travelers are now choosing other destinations such as Bohol and Palawan, including El Nido and Coron. Higher resort prices and uneven hotel rates have also made Boracay less competitive for long-haul markets.
Private stakeholders are urging reforms to revive foreign arrivals, including lowering environmental fees, streamlining permits, improving ports and airports, and strengthening Boracay’s image as a welcoming destination.
South Koreans remain the top foreign visitors, followed by Chinese, Americans, Australians, Russians, Britons, and Taiwanese.
