Hostage crisis costs Boracay initial P5.8-M loss

The world-famous island of Boracay, though being over 300 kilometers away from Manila, has keenly felt the effect of Monday's bloody hostage crisis in Manila after losing almost P5.9 million due to canceled bookings. Radio dzBB’s Iloilo affiliate reported on Friday that the Department of Tourism (DOT)’s regional office estimated an initial loss of P5.876 million due to canceled hotel and resort bookings. Edwin Trompeta, head of DOT Region 6, said the amount represented only the bookings of some 351 guests from Hong Kong and China, from August 28 to September 6. It does not yet include the potential losses to tourism-dependent industries there, including transportation agencies and vendors of food and souvenirs. The dzBB report quoted Trompeta as saying the total initial tourism-related losses in the region may reach P20 to 30 million. Meanwhile, the report also said some travel and tour operators voiced fears they may be forced to close shop if the cancellations continue. Hong Kong on Monday night issued a black travel alert on the Philippines, discouraging all travel there following Monday’s hostage crisis. The Tourism Department in Western Visayas showed sympathy for the victims of Monday’s tragedy through a candle-lighting and prayer activity at its office on Thursday. PAL downplays ‘domino effect’ from HK travel alert Meanwhile, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) downplayed the possibility of a domino effect stemming from Hong Kong’s travel alert against the Philippines. PAL spokeswoman Cielo Villaluna admitted that PAL is already feeling the effects of Hong Kong’s travel advisory but said bookings from other countries are “business as usual." “Di naman sila nagkaroon ng (There has so far been no) domino effect. We were in fear other countries will follow suit but so far bookings from other countries are business as usual," she said in an interview on dwIZ radio. Villaluna also said PAL is waiving the rebooking fees of customers from Hong Kong who may have to change their flight schedules because of the travel alert. “They can rebook pero without penalties, patuloy yan (They can rebook their flights without having to pay the penalties. This policy is continuing)," she said. Villaluna also maintained that PAL will continue its five daily flights to and from Hong Kong despite the travel advisory. She said the cancellations covered bookings from August 25 to the end of September. She said PAL still considers Hong Kong a “very busy route," with many foreign nationals flying in for business. “There are still a lot of nationals who fly in for business and other nationalities who also live in Hong Kong," she said. –VVP, GMANews.TV