Group says travel advisory has little effect

CEBU, Philippines —  An association of hoteliers, resort, and restaurant owners believe that the advisory from the United Kingdom against travel to the southern parts of Cebu Province has had little effect.

Carlos Suarez, president of the Hotel, Resort, and Restaurant Association of Cebu, Inc. (HRRAC), said their booking rate remain at 80 to 90 percent.

“As we speak, we are only experiencing minor cancellations on our end, but so far, if we look at the future, we are expecting more,” Suarez told the Cebu Provincial Board last week.

Last August 13, the British government issued an advisory against traveling to the towns of Badian and Dalaguete in southern Cebu.

Threats of terrorism were cited as reason for the advisory.

Two days after the advisory was released, an alleged Abu Sayyaf member was arrested in Carcar City.

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said it is a concern that the government can address. She urged the Department of Foreign Affairs to correct the misunderstanding, as Cebu is still generally safe for tourists.

Meanwhile, Suarez said the association is leveling up promotions to attract more tourists. He said that despite the advisory, they are expecting more domestic and foreign guests to come following the opening of the new Terminal 2 at the Mactan Cebu International Airport.

The board has accredited the group during the session last Monday.

Magpale thanked the organization for not only  promoting Cebu in the global community but also for involving the academe in some of its activities.

She cited one annual event, Cebu Goes Culinary, as one of the pieces of evidence that show how HRAC brings together the “best chefs” to Cebu and those interested in the field of Hotel and Restaurant Management.

Meanwhile, HRRAC promised to look into concerns of some tourists of the possibility that the water quality in southern Cebu is deteriorating, considering that some resorts have violated environmental laws.—  JMO (FREEMAN)