Xiamen-Legazpi chartered flights at risk after China travel warning

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – The regular chartered flights from Xiamen, China to this city is at risk after the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned its citizens on Friday not to travel to the Philippines, following the kidnapping of a Chinese teenager in Zamboanga-Sibugay on Thursday.

“This affects the viability of our tourism industry because we have a significant promotion strategy in China,” Misibis Bay Resort general manager Ian Varona said yesterday.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said it was worried because of plots confirmed by the Philippine police that criminal groups had planned to attack the Chinese embassy, Chinese companies and public venues such as malls.

But Chief Superintendent Victor Deona, Philippine National Police regional director for Bicol, assured the public that Chinese tourists who visit Albay are safe.

“We have adequate safety measures in place as part of Albay’s international gateway requirements,” Deona said.

Tourism officials said that after the Americans, the Chinese comprised the next largest number of tourists who visit Albay.

Varona said around 1,000 Chinese tourists from Xiamen have visited Albay and Sorsogon starting January this year.

Last Friday afternoon, 130 Chinese tourists arrived here from Xiamen onboard a Cebu Pacific chartered flight.

“This is the second cycle of two flights now going on to 18 flights to Oct. 10 and then continues for the whole year,” said Varona, who welcomed Miss Earth China and other Chinese tourists on Friday.