First A(H1N1) case in RP won’t hurt tourism industry, for now

MANILA, Philippines - Although the deadly A(H1N1) virus had already entered Philippine shores, tourists are not moving out of the country just yet.

After reporting a positive inflow of tourists in the first quarter of the year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) maintained that there is no cancellation on any of its tourism bookings.

“The tourism industry remains unhampered and has issued no travel restrictions," the DOT said in a statement Friday, just hours after the Department of Health assured the public that the infected victim is recovering in the hospital.

The patient – a 10-year-old girl who arrived last May 18 after traveling to United States and Canada – is being quarantined in a facility DOH wouldn't disclose in the meantime.

But health authorities have said they would observe the 17 people the patient had close contact with. [See: 1st Pinoy A(H1N1) victim had contact with 17 people - DOH]

Just last month, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said tourists would be prodded to visit key destination sites in the country.
In fact, Durano noted that tourist arrivals in Boracay grew by 24.54 percent compared to the same period last year while resorts and other tourist-related establishments in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) hit 56.69 percent..

“The DOT has likewise urged tourism stakeholders and partners (transportation services, hotels, resorts and restaurants) to be vigilant and impose stricter measures on proper hygiene and etiquette to prevent the virus from spreading," the department added.

In order to contain the spread of the virus, the government maintains to monitor incoming travelers in all airports, and entry points including chartered plane terminals and sea ports. Apart from strict surveillance, the government has likewise required travelers to monitor themselves within 10 days after arrival from for any flu-like symptoms. - GMANews.TV