THE recent kidnapping incident at a resort on the Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) has adversely affected the island city's tourism industry, particularly on foreign visits and bookings at its resorts.
Araceli L. Ayuste, president of the Davao del Norte Tourism Council, told reporters on Monday at the sidelines of BIMP-Eaga Trade and Tourism Investment Forum at the Marco Polo Hotel-Davao that the impact could be considered as the worst in Igacos' tourism industry as there is a significant drop of room occupancy in all its beach resorts.
"There is an estimated 50 percent or less in terms of room occupancy decline in Samal resorts especially with foreign tourists after the unfortunate kidnapping incident. This maybe because of the travel ban advisories. Like our partner, the Agoda Travle Book, at present they are not sending foreign tourists to us," she said, adding that Samal has a total of 600 rooms available from its some 80 resorts.
"We experienced cancellation of bookings before due to typhoon incidents but usually the foreign tourists will just rebook it but the situation now is different kasi it is total cancellation," Ayuste said.
In an updated travel advisory of the Canadian government dated October 2, 2015, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development of Canada advised their nationals high degree of caution due to an ongoing terrorist and kidnapping threats and warned citizens “should exercise a high degree of caution.,” in Mindanao and vicinity. The advisories cited the kidnapping incident in Samal of two Canadians, one Norwegian and a Filipina.
The updated advisory, now also advised Canadians to exercise a high degree of caution in urban areas of Davao City.
Ayuste said that aside from improving and taking tight measures on the security measures in Samal, they are now positioning its strong promotions to the domestic tourists.
“With the travel bans, we respect the other countries’ advisories because they only want to protect their constituents so now we will be positioning our promotion to our domestic customers and local tourists,” she said.
“We did a lot of promotions especially katong sa recently concluded na Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (Atop) 16th National Convention, side pockets events, and of course we are taking measures to address the security and order situation sa ating mga turista,” she added.
At present, to further strengthen the security in the island, some 120 new individuals are set to undergo training to add up the formation of the Samal Task Group, who will monitor all the tourist destinations in the area.
“We want to see to it that Samal tourism will regain its image as far as security is concerned. Samal destination is still safe and secured because the incident is just an isolated case,” Ayuste said.
The adverse effect on tourism is expected by the council until end of November this year since peak season will start from December until summer.
Ayuste, as also private owner of the Punta del Sol Resort in Samal sharedc that since the incident 15 bookings were already cancelled in their resort which can be translated to P75,000 loss in income.