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THE Department of Tourism says that tourist arrivals in the country are not affected with the Maguindanao massacre.
Tourism Undersecretary Phineas Alburo said that the incident in Maguindanao, where more than 50 were killed including women and members of the media only has a minimal effect to the tourism industry.
Alburo said that despite the international media reports on the incident, it did not scare the tourists away from visiting our country.
Alburo said that the incident only affected the image of the country to other countries abroad but it did not result to cancellations of bookings.
Alburo said unlike the AH1N1 issue, the effect to the industry can only be noticed after two to three months but with crimes happening on a certain country, tourism industry can immediately feel the effects because bookings are immediately being cancelled.
Alburo said in this case, no tourist cancelled their trips to the country.
Alburo said that when the incident came out, they immediately told their 13 offices overseas to come out with a definite advisory on the crime.
He said that they emphasized that the incident is an isolated case and that the Philippine government has everything under control. They also gave importance to the area where it happened.
The DOT is bound to receive an award next year as one of the 2009 Top 10 Tourist Travel Destination by Elite Travellers Award. The award is based on an online voting. /Correspondent Carine M. Asutilla
