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Boracay Resort Island Missing Airlift

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Posted: 18 Sep 2009 | 10:34 am

One of the Asia's most famous beaches with fabled white sand that many rank amongst the worlds best is finding challenges in growth marred by a lack of airlift. Lacking space on the isle itself, traditionally tourists have had to fly into Kalibo which is over an hours drive away and then take a boat from the mainly. A small domestic runway in Catlican which catered to smaller STOL (short take off and landing) aircraft, it was recently closed for upgrading.

Plans call for a new US$62 million international airport on nearby Romblon island, which can serve as a hub to Boracay via a 15-minute boat ride. The announcement has spurred property prices now for beach front land in Romblon now in the region of US$100 per square meter. Investors are already flocking into the area which has considerable expanses of beach grade resort real estate.

While the new airport won't be operational until 2012, international hotels such as the recently opened Shangri La in Boracay are going to struggle with the all-important airlift constrained to the destination. Certainly this factor for Phuket is a key to its tourism numbers and with capacity on the rise with the expansion of new LCC (low cost carriers) international flights makes it increasingly attractive for short and long haul travelers.

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< A small domestic runway in Catlican....was recently closed for upgrading. >

SEAIR still flies to Caticlan :)
Bill Barnett responds:
Indeed but out understanding was it was closed for safety reasons, and may or may not reopen but at the time of writing was closed. Is a positive if it reopens as certainly with the new Shangri la and other projects the island needs airlift. Thanks for comments.

Ocean Breeze Inn Boracay, 21 Sep 2009 | 11:14 pm

It all sounds interesting, but where is this island located?

Bill Barnett responds:
Boracay is in the Philippines....while we always focus on Phuket, its important to raise our horizon and those of our readers to the Asian markets at times as it gives perspective to what is happening here.

Robert, 18 Sep 2009 | 2:47 pm

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