The Local Government of Malay, together with the Department of Tourism Region VI (Western Visayas), and the private sector celebrated the Malay Tourism Week on September 21-23, 2023, with the theme, “Thrust on Tourism and Green Investments,” aimed at highlighting Boracay’s efforts that have made it a top tropical destination and one of the World’s Best Beaches.
Held at Balabag Wetland Park, the festive program included the Induction of the Malay Cooks Association, the Awarding of the High 5 Boracay Song Writing Competition, the Savoy Malay Food Exhibit, along with exhibition of crafts and arts and food products by local enterprises.
Malay Tourism Week 2023 also launched ‘Bugae it Malay,’ a compilation of traditional dishes of the Municipality of Malay. Said dishes were served for lunch.
Inducted into office were the officers and members of the Malay Cooks Association
Considered as crown jewel of the Philippine tourism industry, world-famous Boracay Island in Malay town, Aklan province, has indeed become the favorite destination of tourists from all corners of the globe with its pristine beaches blessed with a long stretch of powdery white sand, crystal clear and azure waters, and a stunning sunset.
The most iconic island in the Philippines has been cited with international awards through the years. With over 1.75 million recorded tourists in 2022, Boracay was included in Time Magazine’s 50 World’s Greatest Places and the World’s Best Islands in the Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Award.
In March this year, Boracay was cited as the 5th Best Island Destination in Asia in the 2023 DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Award.
“As we bask in the glory of our cultural and natural riches, we must remember that with great privilege comes great responsibility. Sustainable tourism is not just a buzzword but a vital approach to ensure the longevity of our beloved Boracay and the well-being of its residents. It’s about preserving the breathtaking natural landscapes that have drawn visitors for generations while ensuring the same landscapes continue to thrive for generations to come,” Western Visayas Regional Director Crisanta Marlene “Krisma” Rodriguez, who was guest of honor, said.
To achieve this, she pointed out, we must place a strong emphasis on green investments: renewable energy, waste management, eco-friendly infrastructure, and sustainable practices.
Boracay MICE Alliance awarded Daenniel Fernandez (3rd from left), winner of HIGH 5 BORACAY’S Song Writing Competition, received Php 100,000 cash prize. With him are the runners-up, from left: Rhode Ryan Velez from Iloilo City, Simon Moses Almira from Puerto Princesa, and Jamie Roy from Taguig City
Asia’s 24/7 island
Malay Mayor Frolibar Bautista who officially welcomed participants to the celebration, sees sustainable tourism as a way to eradicate poverty and offer wider opportunities to people of Malay and nearby municipalities. For the event, he has included student participation via a Quiz Bee competition and the recognition of tourism front liners who render the Filipino brand of excellence in his beloved municipality of Malay.
“And we are back 24/7,” he announced. “We amped our security measures, especially for those who prefer the sunset to sunrise activities. The regulation of 8,000 tourists is in place but we hope to increase by 12,000 visitors per day as the local government is actively restoring beachfront other areas.
” Tourism and green investments are the driving force in our pursuit of preserving what we have and improving what we can. Thus, we have this symphony of celebration to bring cultural and environmental awareness as a way forward to resounding success for our beloved guarded industry which is tourism, and the success of our province as a whole. As we say, love Malay, love Boracay, love the Philippines,” he said.
Regional Director DOT VI Krisma Rodriguez and Malay Mayor Frolibar Bautista (2nd and 3rd from left) are joined by the Boracay Mice Alliance officers from left: Serafin Javelona, Cleofe Albiso, Claribel Casimero, Malay LGU Chief Tourism Officer Felix Delos Santos, Jr., and Virgilio Sacdalan.
Representing the private sector, the Boracay MICE Alliance (BMA), was created to make sure that businesses continually come to Boracay.
“We don’t want to be in the same situation that we were. So after the closure and the pandemic, we made sure that we came in ready. That’s how positive we are that after the trials, something good will happen. As you all know tourism is our bread and butter, we live and thrive because of the presence of tourism in the country. At BMA, we are positioning Boracay for meetings, incentives, conferences, conventions, and events (MICE). We don’t just offer a combination of leisure and business. We also have the wellness component in mind for the participants,” stressed BMA Chairman Cleofe Albiso.
Spearheading the media delegates covering the Malay Tourism Week, the BMA was also on top of the first High 5 Boracay Song Writing Competition.With almost 50 entries from all over the country and a month-long online voting period last August 2022,Daenniel Fernandez from Palawan was declared the winner receiving the grand prize of P100.000.
Check out this link to listen to the song of the 24-year-old tourism student from Palawan State University with his composition entitled “Isla Boracay”: https://bit.ly/IslaBoracay.
Music connects the heart and breaks the language barrier and as part of a bigger sustainability effort, BMA collaborated with radio stations and establishments across the island to play the song daily every 5:00 PM for five minutes which will signal the start of a regular clean-up drive in the Boracay.
Mayor Bautista already signed the LGU ordinance requiring all establishments and other stakeholders to participate in the High 5 Boracay Cleanup Program.
“So, every day at 5:00 PM we get connected with our love for Boracay and enjoy camaraderie while picking up the trash to keep the island clean,” said Albiso, who is also the Managing Director of Megaworld Hotels and Resorts (MHR).
Currently, BMA has more than 50 partner establishments within the island. To be part of the organization, email boracaymiceallianceph@gmail.com or visit their official Facebook page, Boracay MICE Alliance for more information.
The MHR Group with the Manila media delegates to Malay Tourism Week 2023
Boracay Newcoast joins Malay Tourism Week 2023
Belmont Hotel Boracay and Savoy Hotel Boracay, both located at Newcoast Boracay, joined the Malay Tourism Week 2023 by sponsoring the Manila media delegates on the island.
BMA Chair Albiso, who spearheaded the private sector and stakeholders to the annual celebration, personally attended to the media guests to make sure they experience the newly-launch MHR’s hospitality brand, the Sampaguita Project.
Welcoming the media representative on the island is the iconic Boracay Keyhole, an imposing rock formation carved by erosion and known in the local dialect as “lapus-lapus.” Nearby is Cove 2, a 300-meter stretch of secluded white sand shoreline.
A cold towel infused with the Sampaguita scent and refreshing drinks were served to media delegates upon arrival at Belmont. After the customary registration, they were brought to their hotel rooms – and had a pleasant surprise — they got the luxury rooms which are big enough for a family of five or six!
Situated on the northeastern side of Boracay Island, Belmont and Savoy, and the soon-to-open Chancellor are located within Megaworld’s Boracay Newcoast estate, a sprawling 150-hectare tourism township development project.
The group came in time as Belmont is celebrating its 4th anniversary with a wellness campaign dubbed #MindfulEscapes which runs until March 2024. A special feature of this campaign is the Sampaguita-infused concoctions curated by sous chef Paul Aligaen, as well as a variety of healthy yet tasteful options culled from fresh catch and farm produce.
Belmont has 442 well-appointed rooms, including 6 differently abled rooms, and luxurious suites aptly themed for children’s and wedding/anniversary parties. The adjacent 559-room Savoy is famous for its huge party pool — the first concert pool arena in the country — with an adult wading pool and pool deck with cabanas and lounges.
The festive welcome lunch and breakfast were held at Belmont while the dinner and sumptuous farewell lunch took place at Savoy.
This side of the island, the Newcoast, is for the sedate traveler who enjoys the peace and quiet, as well as moments of solitude, yet has all other amenities within the guest’s reach and activities like ATV rides, kayaking, or cycling the e-bikes, among many others.
