Palawan is projecting to receive five million tourists in the next five years with the completion of new piers, airports, and other infrastructure projects.
Governor Jose Alvarez said over the weekend he believes that the construction of regional airports in strategic towns will help attract more tourists.
Alvarez noted that the existing airport in Puerto Princesa City can only accommodate around 30 flights a day, which is equivalent to more than 2.6 million arrivals every year.
“Ang Sabah, [Malaysia] ay 100 flights a day, tayo 30 flights pa lang pero kapag 100 flights na tayo masikip na ang airport dito hanggang 2.6 million lang ito. Kailangan natin ng airport sa Taytay at Brooke’s Point. Ang airport sa Coron ay pinalakihan din natin to accommodate airbuses, ‘yong San Vicente ay regional aircraft, ‘yong sa Taytay naman sa Asia, Europe and beyond will be directed to northern Palawan,” he said.
Alvarez said that access airports will shorten the travel time to less than eight hours.
“Walang turista na magbi-biyahe ng eight hours, kung gusto mo pumunta ng Balabac landing ka sa Brooke’s Point it will be less than an hour. Kung El Nido naman sa Taytay ka galing, it will be 45 minutes travel. Lahat ‘yan will be developed into tourism. We need continuation na ang pera ng taumbayan ay hindi mawawala. Hindi nawawala ang pera dito sa probinsya,” Alvarez.
