Teo: Embassies must check with gov’t before issuing travel advisories

Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo (Photo from her Facebook page)

BANGKOK, Thailand — Travel advisories should be issued with caution, Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo said at the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit.

Teo, who sat as one of the panelists on the issue of freedom to travel, said a government should coordinate with the concerned government before determining whether to issue a travel advisory prohibiting their residents from going to certain places perceived as dangerous.

The Philippines has been the subject of several travel advisories following the clash between government troops and Abu Sayyaf in Bohol.

Teo earlier said that travel advisories create difficulty in promoting tourism.

“People tend not to visit the Philippines,” Teo said. “I suggest that the embassies issuing the travel advisories must first check the country concerned on what the situation on the ground.” /atm