Philippines urges tourists to keep coming
The Philippines has issued a plea for tourists to continue to visit the country in the wake of the force five typhoon that left a trail of devastation through the central islands.
The country’s Department of Tourism tried to assure visitors that tourism establishments and tourism activities continue, despite the fact that thousands of people are believed to have been killed by typhoon Haiyan, known locally as Yolanda, and many more have lost their homes.
In a statement, it said: "The great majority of touristic products are available, whether one is looking for a beach vacation, historical trip, gastronomic tour, or one of the many other possible travel opportunities."
It said the top destinations in the Visayas Region continue to be accessible through their respective ports: these include Boracay Island, Cebu, Iloilo and Palawan.
However, it admitted some hotels have sustained considerable damage, and the UK Foreign Office is warning tourists to stay away from the eastern Visayas, which took the brunt of the typhoon. It warns of food and water shortages in Samar and Leyte, along with deteriorating health conditions.
Coron Island has been badly damaged, especially in the town where buildings have collapsed and many roads are impassable, leaving some tourists stranded, although Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific have resumed flights into and out of Busuanga airport.
Club Paradise on the island has closed until November 30 for repairs but Two Seasons, Asia Grand View and the Busuanga Bay Lodge are open.
In Palawan, the town of El Nido and some resort properties sustained minor damage, but El Nido Pangulasian, Miniloc and Lagen are fully operational and flights are running on schedule.
Amanpulo is doing a clea- up of the island and is closed until November 25.
Bantayan island has been cut off, with no communication possible at present, so the authorities have no report of the situation on the ground. Malapascua Island Resort sustained minimal damage, but many houses have been destroyed. Alegre Beach Resort has closed for repairs to its cabanas.
In Cebu, most hotels are operating normally; only the Shangri-La sustained any damage and this has since been repaired, said the DOT.
In Bohol, which was damaged by a recent earthquake, most hotels are open but the Amorita is suffering power cuts.
In Boracay there is reportedly little damage to hotels but they are without telephone or internet connections.
"We rely on our partners, both in the private and public sectors, to embark on initiatives that will help us achieve normalcy and sustain the tourism growth, particularly in the affected destinations," said the Philippines Department of Tourism Europe region director Venus Q Tan.
"The coming days, and indeed months to come will test the resiliency of the Philippines and the Filipino people yet again. We remain confident however that we will sail this crisis through; rebuild, move forward and come out stronger and even more determined."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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