DOT: HK travel agents want PHL travel ban lifted

Over a year after the Manila hostage tragedy, many Hong Kong travel agents want their government to lift or at least downgrade its black travel warning on the Philippines, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said Wednesday. This was found out by a Philippine delegation after flying to Hong Kong and Macau and asked travel agents to push for Philippine tourism, the DOT said. “Many of the agents said that they remain confident and optimistic about tourism in the Philippines and that they will go full blast with their promotions once the alert is lifted," the DOT said in a news release. The delegation stayed in Hong Kong from October 19 to 21 for a product presentation for travel agents, the DOT said. Reconnecting with HK partners Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said the objective was to “reconnect with our partners from the Hong Kong and Macau travel trade and reaffirm the country’s position as a safe, enjoyable and attractive short-haul destination for their clients." The seminar and presentation in Hong Kong attracted around 78 decision-makers from travel agencies that have been selling the Philippines, according to the department. The sessions in Macau alone drew about 36 partners from the travel trade, it added. “Among those who attended the Hong Kong event were top officers of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, the influential umbrella organization of travel companies in Hong Kong," the DOT said. Tourism Assistant Secretary Benito Bengzon Jr., who headed the delegation, provided updates on the country’s major destinations, including Manila, Cebu, Bohol, Boracay, Palawan, and Clark. Bengzon emphasized the industry’s preparedness to handle more tourists from Hong Kong and Macau. University of Santo Tomas Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics Professor Eric Zerrudo spoke on “Promoting Tourism through Cross Cultural Learning" to enlighten Hong Kong travel agents on understanding Filipino values and giving them practical tips in dealing with Filipinos. Travel to the PHL discouraged The Philippines remains under a black travel alert issued by Hong Kong shortly after the Aug. 23, 2010 hostage crisis. A black travel alert discourages all travel to the Philippines. Eight Hong Kong tourists were killed along with their hostage taker, dismissed Police Senior Inspector Rolando Mendoza. David Leung, the newly appointed DOT marketing representative for Hong Kong and Macau, said that with the travel alert visitor arrivals from Hong Kong to the Philippines went down by a little over 20 percent. “This means about 80 percent still believe that the country is a peaceful and fun destination," he said. — PE/VS, GMA News