TOURISM is a dynamic and complex industry, where apart from leisure, the success of any tourism destination will depend on how well it can provide a safe and secure environment for its visitors.
Currently on the upswing, the Philippine tourism’s momentum as being one of the leading tourist attractions in Asia might be halted following the highly publicized abduction on Samal Island in Davao Del Norte.
Local and international authorities have been alerted after the kidnapping incident of three foreigners and a Filipina from a luxury resort island in Samal. Canadians John Ridsdel and Robert Hall, Hall’s Filipino girlfriend Marites Flor, and Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad, were taken from the Holiday Oceanview Marina before midnight on Sept. 21, by armed men who claimed that they were members of the New People’s Army (NPA). However, early speculations also pointed out that the Abu Sayyaf Group, a terrorist group linked to Al-Qaeda, initiated the attack. The group is notorious for kidnap-for-ransom activities in Mindanao but the military has yet to confirm if the group is behind the recent abduction.
There has been no breakthrough in the search and rescue operation as of Tuesday, Sept. 29. Hundreds of policemen, elite Army troops and Navy members are currently scouring the coasts of Davao and nearby provinces in search of the captives and the armed group.
Canada has advised its nationals against traveling in several areas in Mindanao after two of its citizens were among the captives. Canada said its nationals should avoid travel to the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula and the provinces of Sarangani, Lanao del Norte, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental, Cotabato, South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat “due to the serious threat of terrorist attacks and kidnapping.”
Other countries followed suit as the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand have issued travel advisories to their citizens. If not concluded at the soonest time possible, more travel advisories against the Philippines are to be expected, and its consequences to the tourism industry may be exacerbated.
Malacañang accepted the travel advisories issued against areas in Mindanao. However, Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. assured everyone that the Philippine government is working double time to apprehend the perpetrators. Coloma also allayed the possible effects of the latest kidnapping in the tourism industry saying that it was an isolated case in the last 14 years.
Coloma added that the government has enforced tighter security also as part of the country’s preparation for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on Nov. 18 and 19. President Barack Obama, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin are among the expected high-profile visitors of this year’s gathering of world leaders.
The kidnapping incident is not to be tolerated, but it is enough reason to make the national government and concerned agencies improve their operation to promote a safer environment not just for the country’s tourists but also its citizens. The country’s tourism will undoubtedly suffer after this, but this doesn’t mean all the things that have made Philippines—a country full of history and cultural diversity—are gone. All agencies concerned will just have to compromise and compensate for the damages that may be incurred from this unfortunate incident. (AJPress)
