EDITORIAL - Bad times for tourism

Flight reservations are being cancelled and vacations put off for a safer time. Thousands of airline workers in the United States are set to lose their jobs in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. These are bad times not only for the airline and insurance industries but also for tourism, one of the biggest sources of revenue for many countries. World Tourism Day was marked yesterday with the theme, "Tourism – A Tool for Peace and Dialogue Among Civilizations." But how can there be peace and dialogue if travelers are staying home?

Philippine tourism officials tried to put a positive spin to the recent developments, predicting that the industry will rebound before the year is over. Tourism officials also believe people shying away from destinations that are potential terrorist targets will look at this part of the world for alternative destinations.

But even before the terrorist attacks in the United States, the Philippine tourism industry had already been suffering. Last year Abu Sayyaf guerrillas raided the Malaysian island resort of Sipadan and kidnapped 21 guests and workers, holding them captive in the hinterlands of Sulu. Before this problem was over, a political crisis erupted, lingering until the Abu Sayyaf struck again earlier this year, raiding an upscale resort in Palawan.

When tourists are being targeted, how can you expect them to come to the Philippines? Now we have a bigger headache: the Philippines is listed as one of several countries where America’s Public Enemy No. 1, Osama bin Laden, is reported to be maintaining terrorist cells. His allies in the Philippines: who else but the Abu Sayyaf.

Despite these daunting problems, the country’s tourism industry can’t close shop. The industry, however, will have to brace for a long, punishing downturn. During this period, the government can give the ailing industry a boost by developing tourism infrastructure, providing training to improve services, and planning a more aggressive campaign to market the country as a tourist destination. In line with this, the government must also continue working on the peace and order situation, which has set back the tourism industry even before terror struck in America.