DOT still sees more tourists from Hong Kong

MANILA, Philippines - The government still sees more Hong Kong tourists coming into the Philippines next year despite the prevailing black outbound travel alert issued by the former British colony.

Department of Tourism (DOT) assistant secretary and spokesman Benito Bengzon said the black alert, which the Hong Kong government issued two years ago following the August 2010 hostage-taking incident in Rizal Park, has not stopped the arrivals of tourists into the country.

“The Hong Kong market will definitely get better despite the black alert,” Bengzon said.

The number of travelers from Hong Kong dropped following the issuance of the black alert, but the market has recovered since December last year.

Bengzon said even with the existing black alert, tourist arrivals from Hong Kong continued to grow with a total of 108,115 visitors from January to October this year.

He said the government has never stopped making efforts to make travel convenient for Hong Kong tourists, even after the imposition of the black alert.

The government of Hong Kong has reiterated the advisory to its citizens twice this month.