BARRIA Establishes Aklan VISA Host Center

By Ulysses Espartero

The Boracay Association of Resorts, Restaurants and Independent Allies (BARRIA) Consortium launched recently the Aklan VISA Host Center in Barangay Nagustan, Nabas, Aklan.
The inauguration was graced by DOT Regional Director Edwin Trompeta and his wife, DILG Regional Director Evelyn Trompeta.
Also present were Paul Lim So, president of Action Holidays Tour Corporation, Provincial Administrator Diego M. Luces who represented Gov. Carlito S. Marquez, Nabas Mayor Romeo Dalisay, Caticlan Jetty Port Administrator Niven Maquirang and Women in Nabas Federation President Rhuna Flores-Tipgos.
According to BARRIA Consultant and Tourism Expert Max Zurbito, Jr., VISA Host stands for Visitors and Assistance (VISA) Home of Organized and Systematic Travel (HOST).
"This is a response to the growing clamor of the tourists and the traveling public for a professionally managed and delivered tourism services in Boracay Island and beyond.
The first of its kind in the country, the Aklan VISA Host Center shall serve as a one-stop shop where tourists’ and travelers’ needs shall be available 24 hours a day.
It shall serve as the center for the unified information on the tourism and travel service components within the domestic as well as international destinations.
It is also envisioned to be the central booking office for resorts, hotels, sea, air and land transports, tours, sightseeing and excursions.
"With this scheme, the tourists shall no longer experience the hustle in haggling for a price and paying as many times as they require the same services," Zurbito added.

Fast Crafts Now Serving Caticlan-Boracay
In another development, there are now two fast ferry sea crafts operating between the jetty ports of Caticlan and Cagban to ferry passengers, particularly tourists and visitors, to and from the island of Boracay. Caticlan Jetty Port Administrator Niven Maquirang announced.
The Ampo Shipping and ROVI Shipping Line both manifest their interests for the one entry-one exit scheme now being implemented in Caticlan–Boracay by Task Force Bantay Boracay headed by P/Supt. Benigno Durana,Jr.
Vessels MV Aikho of Ampo Shipping and MV Phoenix of Rovi Shipping are now plying the Caticlan-Cagban routes following the port-to-port embarkation of Maritime Industry Authority after maiden voyages of the said vessels were recently made.
According to tourism Expert Max P. Zurbito, Jr., Ampo Shipping now acts as operator of the sea transport component of the Unified Mass Transport System (UMTS) as proposed by the Boracay Association of Resorts, Restaurants and Independent Allies, Inc. (BARRIA).
BARRIA, under the leadership of its Chairman Nemesio Dalisay, wanted to establish a more systematic, orderly, and comfortable UMTS in areas declared as major and prime tourists assets and resources of Aklan found in the corridors of western coastline including the island and islets around Boracay.
This, Zurbito added, after BARRIA Consortium launched the Aklan VISA Host Service Voucher, an all-in-one pass to Boracay and beyond. The service voucher includes various service components of UMTS particularly land transfers in the mainland and ferry boat services between the mainland and Boracay Island.
The voucher is now available at BARRIA member establishments and at the Aklan VISA Host Center in Barangay Nagustan, Nabas, Aklan.
Aklan Visa Host Center Finance Director Rhuna Flores-Tipgos welcomed more entities to deliver safer transport services as envisioned by the united leadership of Cong. Florencio "Joeben" T. Miraflores, Gov. Carlito S. Marquez and Vice Gov. Ronquillo "Kel" C. Tolentino.
The Sangguniang Bayan of Malay under the leadership of Vice Mayor Frolibar Bautista has enacted measures to promote Boracay as an investment paradise. /MP