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Gordon urges tourists to resume As-Pac travels

Exuding confidence and optimism over the fast recovery of tourism in the Asia-Pacific region, Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Richard Gordon urged travelers around the world yesterday to resume holiday and business trips to the region as the World Health Organization (WHO) lifted its travel advisories covering the area, except on Beijing, China. Gordon issued the call as chairman of the one-day Ministerial Summit on Crisis Management conducted by the World Tourism Organization (WTO) at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City. The former Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chief gave assurances that the Asia-Pacific is now safe to visit and is more attractive than ever after the disappearance of the SARS disease from some countries and cities in the region.

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MB, p. 7

Priests, advocacy groups condemn plan to put up casino in Boracay

Several militant groups here and in many parts of Aklan province had issued a warning to government authorities against the negative effects the proposed casino wil create on the resort island. Among the movements which oppose the establishment of a casino are the Catholic priests, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Akbayan, League of Filipino Students and local residents.

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DT, p. 3

Prostitution in Boracay gone worse?

The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Western Visayas admits that, indeed, there is a problem on prostitution on the island. Chief Supt. Marcelo Navarro, Jr., director of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) is soon meeting with resort owners and managers to have an “integrated approach” to minimize, if not really eradicate, the problem on peace and order, prostitution and stray dogs.

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Tempo, p. 8

Ro-Ro to Boracay

Due to a lot of inquiries on how to get to Boracay and avail the cheap fare via Ro-Ro or nautical highway, the Office of Aklan Gov. Florencio Miraflores announced the latest schedule on the Ro-Ro trip to Caticlan, Malay, Aklan. The three to four times daily Ro-Ro trips start with a two-hour bus ride from Manila to Batangas on Bachelor Express and Philtranco at the Alimall Bus Terminal, Cubao and Philtranco Bus Station, Pasay. The bus will be boarded on a Ro-Ro and will take two hours from Batangas to Calapan port. This will be followed by two-hour land travel to Roxas port then capped by a four and a half Ro-Ro trip to Caticlan. Travel is 14 hours including waiting time.

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MS, p. 7

Boracay (photo)

Caressing sea and sky, the sun sets in Boracay, the country’s top destination area which lured the largest number of tourists from January to April earning P1 billion for the province of Aklan.

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PDI, p. 1

‘Kasalan sa Iloilo’ boosts tourism

Both foreign and local tourists lauded yesterday the first and biggest bridal show in Iloilo City dubbed “Kasalan sa Iloilo, A Dream Wedding,” the first Philippine bridal fair which greatly boosted tourism in the province. Local officials and tourists who witnessed the event last week said it did not only showcase the artistry of Ilongos but also their entrepreneurial acumen. The event was held at the Amigo Terraces Hotel, one of Iloilo City’s finest hotel resorts.

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MB, p. F-24

Turtle sanctuaries (opinion)

Many marine protected areas (MPAs) established by communities and local gov’t. units in the Visayas concentrate their effort on fish species. There are only few that extend protection to the larger memberss of marine biodiversity such as whales, dolphins, whale shark and marine turtles.  This gap in the overall marine protection program has to be filled. Managers of MPAs should take note of the need to include marine turtles in their conservation programs.

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Malaya, p. 5

Iligtas ang turismo (‘Pointguard’ column by Rep. Magi Gunigundo)

Hindi na maikakailang ang unang biktima ng SARS ay ang ating industriya ng turismo. Ayon sa mga pahayagan, bumagsak na nang may 30% ang dami ng mga dayuhang turista sa bansa mula nang mabalita sa buong mundo na may mga kasong SARS sa Pilipinas. Kailangan ng Depatamento ng Turismo na pag-ibayuhin ang promosyon na maghihikayat sa mga bakasyunistang mula sa ibang bansa na bisitahin ang magagandang destinasyon sa Pilipinas.

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 Tonight, p. 6

Lokal na turismo palakasin, terorista sugpuin (‘Sipag at Tiyaga’ column by Manny Villar)

Naghasik man ng takot ang SARS meron namanng positibong hatid ito sa ating bansa. Ito ay ang paglakas ng ating lokal na turismo. Mas pinili kasi ng ating mga kababayan na mamasyal noong makaraang bakasyon sa mga lokal na destinasyon dahil nga sa takot sa SARS na patuloy pa ring namemerwisyo sa ibang mga bansa…

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Abante, p. 4