With a warm smile and infectious enthusiasm, Dr. Felix G. Delos Santos Jr., the Chief Tourism Operations Officer, shares his passion for revitalizing Boracay’s tourism industry.
One rainy day, we had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Felix G. Delos Santos Jr., Chief Tourism Operations Officer at the Malay Municipal Tourism Office in Boracay. Despite the downpour, his warm welcome and infectious enthusiasm for the island’s tourism industry were immediately evident.
As a licensed professional teacher, Delos Santos Jr. is renowned for his leadership and dedication to Boracay’s tourism sector and the local community. One of his key roles is to promote Boracay’s rich cultural heritage and community assets through the Boracay Info Guide App, or “Project BIG-A.” The app provides tourists and locals alike with a comprehensive directory of accredited establishments, services, organizations, and attractions.
“BIG-A forms the heart of the Boracay Information Guide App, aiming to revolutionize how tourists and locals tap into information,” Delos Santos, who also teaches at the Malay College, tells Balikbayan Magazine.
Delos Santos Jr. has also been a driving force behind events like the Boracay White Beach Festival, which celebrates the conservation and preservation of the island’s iconic white sand beaches. The festival includes a vibrant food bazaar, sports competitions, and lively entertainment, offering visitors a well-rounded experience.
While the island has seen a slight dip in international visitor numbers, with a 2.88% drop from 2023 to 2024, Boracay remains optimistic. The chief tourism officer shared data showing a strong rebound in domestic tourism, with 1,358,947 local visitors from January to October 2024, compared to 1,404,633 over the same period in 2023. The island is forecasting over 2.3 million tourists by the end of 2024.
Delos Santos advised prospective visitors that the best time to come to Boracay is during the peak season from February to May, when the island enjoys up to eight hours of daily sunshine, perfect for beach activities and soaking in the natural beauty.
He concluded by expressing his excitement to welcome visitors to Boracay, an island that never sleeps, offering an unparalleled blend of natural wonders and entertainment.
