Tagaytay, Batangas safe, says DOT chief

MANILA, Philippines - At alert level 2, only Taal Volcano Island is off-limits to tourists. The rest, like Tagaytay and the lakeshore towns of Batangas are safe to visit.

This was the message of Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim to local stakeholders after being briefed by volcanologist Ted Sandoval of Phivolcs during an ocular visit to Talisay, Batangas and Tagaytay City.

Lim saw the need for an awareness drive about the real scope of the danger zone and to let people know that only Taal Volcano Island is at risk, “People think that even the mainland is in danger so our resorts and hotels are experiencing a lot of cancellations.”

That is farthest from the truth because at alert level 2 it is safe to visit Talisay and Tagaytay,” added the secretary. Sandoval also assured tourism establishment owners and managers that Tagaytay is safe even at alert level 4 or the actual eruption of Taal.

The tourism industry in these places are losing millions of pesos daily as cancellations in one resort alone like Club Balai Isabel ranged from 600 to 1,000 persons per day.

Lim felt that the best way to show that these places were safe was to go there in person. So, he met with affected sectors and Talisay mayor, Zenaida Mendoza, right by the lake with the volcano as backdrop. He also went to the ridge to dialogue with members of Tagaytay Tourism Council.

Lim told the audience that tourist arrivals increase substantially in places where a volcano is erupting. He mentioned Legaspi City in Albay as example, and even Tagaytay in previous years.

“So we have to change our mindset and make this work for us.  It is all about converting our present threat into a strength,” he said.

Victor Stuart Fernandez of the council was thankful for the concern shown by the national government through Sec. Lim’s visit. Other attendees of the forum expressed hope that the visit would result in an aggressive awareness drive to counter the misconception and fear that resulted in a significant drop in arrivals.

“We just have to communicate with our expected guests and assure them not to worry,” said Karl Velhagen, general manager of One Tagaytay Place. He said that guests eventually push thru with their bookings once they realize that it is not as bad as they think.

“We just have to manage their expectations. I’m sure all of us have Facebook, Twitter, websites, and other social networking sites.  There are many other ways to get in touch with them. We just have to do our part.” Velhagen added.

In Talisay, Lim was told that many Korean tourists were really insisting on going to the volcano because for Koreans, it is good luck if you step foot on an active volcano. The boatmen and horsemen association, represented by Eddie Ortilla and Alex Palomeno, narrated how tourists asked to be allowed even for just a few minutes so they can have their picture taken on the island or on horseback. Lim was firm in not allowing it because he says a few minutes will turn into half an hour and further extended until the tourists find themselves already at the main crater.