PHL tourism hit hard by 2 typhoons

The Department of Tourism (DoT) wants to ensure the safety of tourists and travel-related businesses during and after the onslaught of typhoons Emong and Dante across almost the entire country.

DoT Secretary Christina Frasco said that more than 1,000 tourists, mostly in Regions 8 and 10, were affected or stranded due to flight and ferry cancellations. No injuries or fatalities among the tourists were reported.

Frasco convened a tourism emergency response operations meeting to receive updates from the DoT’s regional offices and attached agencies.

“Our industry, normally, does not engage in crisis or disaster response related to weather disruptions, but it is of absolute importance that we act now rather than later to anticipate the needs of our stakeholders and provide the necessary support in the short and medium term,” she said.

Regional offices and attached agencies reported varying degrees of impact on local tourism operations.

In Intramuros, floodwaters have receded and all roads have become accessible. However, the Intramuros Administration (IA) reported that key heritage sites, including Fort Santiago, Puerta Real Gardens, Baluarte San Diego and the ASEAN Garden, sustained damage from flooding and heavy rains.

To support restoration efforts, Frasco instructed the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to assist the IA in surveying affected areas.

In the CALABARZON region, the DoT Regional Office reported damage to infrastructure and tourism-related facilities in Montalban, Rizal. Preliminary estimates indicate trail and facility destruction, disrupted livelihoods and potential income losses amounting to P2.8 million.

In MIMAROPA, DoT-4B office reported damage to accommodations and travel agencies in El Nido valued at more than P264,400, while tourist boats in Coron sustained damages worth around P550,000. Additional revenue losses were reported due to canceled tours.

Frasco directed all DOT regional offices to maintain close coordination with local government units, national agencies, and tourism stakeholders to ensure immediate assistance is provided.

DoT said the Tourist Assistance Call Center (TACC) remains fully operational round-the-clock. The center is ready to assist tourists and tourism-related businesses affected by the extreme weather and is equipped with English, Korean and Mandarin-speaking agents.