No cancellation yet of Korean bookings
Travel operators are closely monitoring the effects of the travel advisory issued by the Republic of Korea following the clash between government troops and members of Abu Sayyaf in Bohol last week.
“We are currently monitoring Korean bookings to Bohol and so far haven’t received any cancellations just yet,” Cebu Association of Tour Operators (CATO) past president Edilberto Mendoza Jr. said in an interview yesterday.
The South Korean foreign ministry has issued a special travel advisory urging Koreans not to go to Bohol from April 13 to April 23.
Although the travel agencies have yet to see the effects of this warning, Mendoza admitted that this could largely influence the decisions of Korean tourists who plan to visit Bohol anytime soon.
According to Mendoza the recent advisory “bothers me because Koreans are one of our top visitors here in Region 7."
Mendoza, however reported that as of yesterday, Cebu has not seen any cancellation from Korean bookings, due to the travel warning.
“We are looking at other options to divert Korean tourists from going to Bohol until the tension subsides,” added Mendoza.
The South Korean foreign ministry said that a special travel advisory is "tantamount to the travel-alert level of 'red alert',” which means travel should be restricted.
It further said that it may extend the period of effectivity of the travel advisory depending on the security situation in Bohol.
Police and military forces killed six suspected Abu Sayyaf members, including its sub-leader Muammar Askali, in a clash in Barangay Napo, Inabanga town.
The clash happened two days after the United States Embassy issued a travel advisory warning Americans against the threat of kidnapping in Central Visayas, including Cebu and Bohol provinces. —