529 tourists stranded, 14 tourist sites damaged due to Kristine – DOT

Tourism Secretary Ma. Christina Frasco spearheads the first-ever Philippine Tourism Dive Dialogues FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Tourism (DOT) reported 529 tourists stranded due to inclement weather brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).

As of 12 p.m. on Friday, October 25, the following areas recorded stranded tourists:

• Surigao del Norte (264 tourists)
• Batanes (179 tourists)
• Oriental Mindoro and Marinduque (33 tourists)
• Maasin, Leyte (25 tourists)
• Mauban, Quezon and Lobo, Batangas (16 tourists)
• Boracay (12 tourists)

DOT added that it monitored 14 tourist sites in Sorsogon, Masbate, Batangas and the Dinagat Islands that sustained damage during the storm.

The department said in a statement, “to ensure the safety and well-being of affected tourists, the DOT, through its regional offices, is working closely with accommodation establishments to provide temporary shelter.”

READ: Kristine gradually slowing down while moving over Northern Luzon

“In addition to assisting tourists, we are also preparing to extend support to displaced tourism workers who may have been affected by this storm,” Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco added.

Pagasa reported that Kristine left the Philippine area of responsibility at 2 p.m. on Friday.