Fighting, bombings take toll on tourism

The conflict in Central Mindanao and the sporadic bombings in urban centers are taking a toll on the tourism industry as the number of foreign tourists dwindled significantly, immigration authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) said.

They said they noted a 60 percent decline in the number of foreign arrivals since Sunday.

Immigration officials said only a handful of foreign visitors had arrived, and these are those who cannot avoid coming to Manila for business or personal matters. Most of these visitors are Chinese nationals, they added.

Airport authorities also believe that travel advisories issued by foreign governments could have contributed to the decline in the number of tourist arrivals.

Regarding security at the country's premier airport, NAIA general manager Antonio Gana assured travelers that the airport is one of the most secure places in the country.