Tourism groups bid to counter effects of hostage crisis

MANILA, Philippines - Various groups in the tourism industry were successful in luring back tourists to the country following the Aug. 23 hostage-taking incident at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, tourism officials said yesterday. 

At a media forum, Tourism Congress president Alma Jimenez said various tourism associations and enterprises have taken remedial actions after the incident “to soften the impact” on the industry.

She said one such action is the holding of the Philippine Travel Exchange at the Manila Hotel a few days after the hostage crisis. The event reportedly drew 191 tourist industry representatives from 112 companies from different countries.

Jimenez said the event registered increased tour sales from Europe, North America, Japan, Korea and Australia and regional markets such as in Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan and Indonesia.

Several Hong Kong and Chinese tour companies also participated in the event, signifying their continued interest in the Philippines as a destination, according to Philippine Tour Operators Association president Cesar Cruz.

The event produced P15 million worth of tour sales, which was even higher than that of last year, according to Cruz.