KUCHING: The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said the Philippines remain a safe destination for tourists, and tourism establishments continue to operate despite the recent Typhoon Haiyan.
“Top destinations in the Visayas, including the world famous Boracay island, were largely unaffected by the typhoon,” Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia, J Eduardo Malaya said in a press statement yesterday.
Eduardo gave this reassurance as the Philippine Department of Tourism prepares for the arrival of 112 Malaysians and Filipinos based in Malaysia under the Embassy’s ‘Ambassador’s Tour to the Philippines’ from today to 25.
The tour participants will arrive in Manila on this morning and enjoy three days of tours within and around Manila with trips to historical Intramuros, a day at the Villa Escudero, and optional tours to Tagaytay and Corregidor.
Joining the tour are Tan Sri Othman Merican, Aminuddin Abdul Rahman from Shapadu Energy and Engineering Sdn Bhd, Forex Cargo-Malaysia director Tess Dizon, and Azdaman Engineering general manager Edna Encarnacion.
“There has been no cancellation among the participants,” the ambassador revealed.
“Tourism is a major contributor to the Philippine economy, and one effective way for foreigners to assist in the recovery and rehabilitation of affected areas is by continuing to visit the Philippines. It is our hope that this tour can help,” Eduardo said.
“We wish that with this tour, we can say Filipinos are as accommodating and welcoming as ever to any visitor who comes to its shores. We can reaffirm to the world that the Filipino spirit is indomitable and unbreakable,” he stated.
The tour was initiated by the embassy to highlight the Malaysian tourists’ increasing interest in the Philippines and showcase the unique attractiveness of Philippine tourism destinations, as well as allow Filipinos to reconnect and rediscover their roots.
In 2012, 114,513 Malaysians visited the Philippines, an increase of 24.81 percent from 2011, breaching the 100,000 mark for the first time and making Malaysia its 10th largest tourist market.