Penghu’s beaches are 10,000 times more beautiful — netizens boycott: Don’t go to that lousy Boracay anymore

▲ Netizens are calling for a boycott of travel to Boracay. (Photo / Screenshot from “Do you want some black tea?”

Lifestyle Center / Comprehensive Report

The shooting of Taiwanese fishermen by Philippine government vessels and the refusal to apologize has sparked nationwide outrage, with anti-Filipino sentiment continuing to rise. Recently, a netizen created a graphic on Facebook calling for people to “stop going to that lousy Boracay,” saying that Penghu’s beaches are 10,000 times more beautiful and guaranteed not to shoot fishermen. While it seems like a national campaign against the Philippines, both Phoenix Travel Service and Canxing Travel point out that the number of people canceling trips is currently very low.

The whole of Taiwan is on edge over anything related to the Philippines. Following the recent incident where a worker at Hualien’s Zengji Café was assaulted, many Taiwanese tourists are also reconsidering their plans to visit the Philippines. However, Phoenix Travel Service noted that although public anger is high, the number of trip cancellations is not as many as outsiders might imagine — only a few individuals — and additionally, due to reduced flights to the area, travelers usually book their trips well in advance. Currently, bookings are still being made through July.

The Guang Da Xing No. 28 incident has stirred up tensions between Taiwan and the Philippines, and numerous online campaigns have emerged calling for a boycott of travel to Boracay. However, Phoenix Travel Service mentioned that while emotions are running high, the actual number of cancellations is not as significant as the public perceives. There have only been scattered individual cancellations. Moreover, with fewer flights to the destination, most travelers’ itineraries were booked long ago, and current sales extend through July.

Canxing Travel stated that the company has not yet received any cases of trip cancellations. It’s possible that many people are not even aware that Boracay belongs to the Philippines. As for whether there will be a significant impact going forward, it will depend on how the overall situation develops.