Philippines Boracay Island, in Aklan province, is expected to become major cruise destination. The local government is making preparations for the arrival of a cruise ship scheduled for October 27, carrying 2,500 tourists.

Niven Maquirang, an Aklan Jetty Port administrator said: "We are anticipating the arrival of Caribbean cruise ship which carries some 2,500 Asian tourists. In addition, the province has already received notices of several cruise ships for 2013. Tourists to Boracay will be provided with different tourism packages depending on their varied interests. Some will be organized for an island hopping, others will be provided with serves of golf and shopping."

Boracay is a tropical island located approximately 315km (200 miles) south of Manila and 2km off the northwest tip of the island of Panay in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines. It is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Boracay has more than ten distinctive beaches nestled in the coves surrounding the infamous island. All of them feature the same powdery white sand that has undoubtedly made the island prominent around the world. By far, the most popular beach is a seven-kilometer stretch, officially called White Beach.