Explore other markets, Tourism players told to count China out

CEBU, Philippines - Following the travel advisory issued by the Chinese government against the Philippines that resulted to a downturn in tourist arrivals, a tourism leader encouraged industry players to look beyond China.

"We should show them that we are resilient, and we are not beggars in tourism," said Network of Independent Travel Agents chairman Robert Lim Joseph in an interview with The Freeman yesterday.

Joseph said the Philippines is undoubtedly an attractive destination and if the Chinese tourists would stop coming, it will not stop the upward movement of the country’s tourism industry.

"We have to count them out," said Joseph as they are not the only travelers in the world.

The domestic market for instance is a good market to focus on as there is so much potential in encouraging more Filipinos to travel within their country.

The potential of the domestic market has been left untapped as most promotions are usually directed towards the foreign market.

Apart from local travelers, Joseph also cited the potential of other foreign markets such as Middle East, Europe, and even Korea.

He mentioned the favorable interest of travelers from Spain, Germany, London, and other countries to experience for themselves the "It’s more fun in the Philippines" proposition.

Reportedly, some 20,000 Chinese have canceled their room bookings to Boracay, translating to P492 million in losses.

Joseph said business losses brought about by the travel advisory can be easily offset, if tourism players will immediately turn their focus to other markets.

Joseph believes that this travel ban against the Philippines is likely to stay on for a long time as it is a believed to be one of China's indirect assault strategies on the ongoing political conflict between the two countries.

The Chinese government issued a travel advisory warning to its citizens not to travel to the Philippines following the kidnapping of a Chinese teenager.

The abduction followed a separate incident where a group of men was arrested in an alleged plot to attack the Chinese embassy in Manila. Three men were arrested at the  Ninoy Aquino International Airport, allegedly in possession of gas-filled plastic bottles and an old pistol. They allegedly planned to “strafe” the Chinese embassy and other public areas.

According to Joseph, the reason of the Chinese government on this travel ban is just too weak, as peace and order situation in the Philippines is generally stable, and that such incidents could happen in any other tourism destinations around the world. (FREEMAN)