The recent report from Borongan City in Eastern Samar reveals that 85,000 tourists visited from January to September this year, surpassing the total visitor count of the entire year of 2019.

According to Rupert Ambil, who oversees city flight operations and tourism, this year’s numbers indicate a significant increase in tourist arrivals. He stated:

“We’ve hit the highest mark since 2017, based on our collected data. In the pre-pandemic years, we had 80,000 tourists, and now we’re at 85,000 as of the end of September.”

Translation: “Hemos alcanzado el nivel más alto desde 2017, según nuestros datos recopilados. En los años anteriores a la pandemia, tuvimos 80,000 turistas, y ahora estamos en 85,000 a finales de septiembre.”

Ambil attributed this surge to the reinstatement of Philippine Airlines flights between Manila, Cebu, and Borongan, which resumed operations in December 2022. The frequency of flights has increased from two to three times weekly, accommodating both tourists and locals and facilitating cargo transport.

Moreover, local events such as the Philippine Kiteboarding Tour, city fiesta, Padul-ong Festival, and the Miss Philippines Earth Beachwear Competition have contributed to these rising numbers. Recently, on December 19th, the anniversary of PAL’s operations in Borongan, city officials renewed their partnership with the airline to ensure ongoing flight services.