Tourist cancellations hit Bohol, Cebu after quake

MANILA, Philippines – Some foreign tourists have cancelled their plans to visit Bohol and Cebu, both top travel destinations, after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked Central Visayas on October 15.

This was according to Tourism Undersecretary Daniel Corpus who spoke with reporters on the sidelines of the “Rising Stars of the Philippines” forum organized by AsianInvestor and Finance Asia on Thursday, October 17.

“Some 1,300 Koreans (tourists) have already cancelled — 100 from mainland China,” Corpus added. 

These will affect the overall tourist arrivals for 2013, he noted. South Korea is the Philippines’ single largest tourism market, accounting for almost 1/4 of annual arrivals.

He, however, noted that the tourism department expects a quick recovery of tourism in both provinces.

“We are very optimistic that recovery will be fast. Resorts and hotels were not damaged,” Corpus noted.

The biggest concern, he said was the restoration of the tourist spots, as well as the damage to the roads leading to tourists destination in both provinces. (READ: Heartbreaking: 10 iconic churces in Bohol, Cebu damaged)

“The attractions were destroyed and accessibility hampered, “ Corpus said.

Corpus added that tourism groups in both provinces are now looking for alternative routes to the tourist spots, while the National Commission on Culture and Arts and National Historical Commission are assessing the damage to the stone churches damaged by the strong quake.

“DOT will support the restoration [of the tourist sites],” he added. – Rappler.com