Aquino inaugurates renovated airport

A newly renovated airport in one of the country's top tourist destinations was inaugurated Saturday by President Benigno Aquino. The Caticlan airport, which will soon be known as "Boracay Airport", was formally reopened by the President in ceremonies in Aklan, the Presidential Communications Operations Office said in a statement. "This new terminal will open the floodgates of opportunities not just for businessmen and tourists, but for the tourism industry in general," Aquino said in Filipino. Caticlan in the province of Aklan is among the most visited places in the country by local as well as foreign tourists. Around 700,000 tourists arrive at Caticlan airport every year and with the planned widening and development of the airstrip, the government expects annual tourist arrivals to reach three million. Aquino said he expects a 30 per cent increase in passengers arriving. Aside from directly benefiting Aklan, developments in the airport will have economic benefits by helping create more jobs in the tourism sector. From / Gulf News