Manila hostage crisis affects Boracay tourism- DoT

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - Tourism regional director Edwin Trompeta said the tour cancellations of Hong Kong tourists affected the arrivals in Boracay Island.

Hong Kong government issued a top level black alert travel advisory for the Philippines after a dismissed cop hijacked tourist bus with Chinese nationals at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila last Monday.
"The cancellations by tourists in the island of Boracay as of Tuesday is substantial. One resort alone is going to loss more than P5-million for cancelled bookings this week and September," Trompeta said.

The 12-hour hostage taking by former senior inspector Rolando del Rosario Mendoza, armed with automatic rifle and a pistol, ended with eight Hong Kong tourists dead and 14 others released and rescued by the local police.

The 'black level' travel advisory issued by the Hong Kong government, telling their residents to avoid travel to the Philippines, is seen to jeopardize the Philippine tourism.

Trompeta is hoping for the short-term negative impact of hostage taking to the country's premier destination, adding, the number of inbound tourists from the neighboring countries are normally expected to rise in the months of November and December in Boracay Island.

More than 116,000 Hong Kong tourists visited the country last year or roughly 9 percent of the international travelers, the tourism department data showed. Tourists travelled to Kalibo International Airport through direct weekly flights from mainland China South Korea and Taiwan to stay in the island of Boracay.

Meanwhile, Malacanang is sending a high level delegation to explain the details of the incident to the Hong Kong officials and the actions taken by the government. Chinese Ambassador Liu Jianchao earlier demanded a full investigation of the incident and has urged the Philippine government to ensure the security and safety of foreigners in the country, especially Chinese nationals.