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‘Culture of tourism’ prevailed during crisis, says Gordon
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: Lynda B. Valencia
Date: 2003-07-30
 
Tourism Secretary Richard J. Gordon hailed the joint efforts of the government and the private sectors in the safe evacuation of tourists booked at the Makati hotels affected by the military mutiny Sunday.







In an appreciation dinner at the InterContinental Manila last night, Gordon said the safety of tourists was his major concern as he instructed Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab and National Capital Region (NCR) Director Reynato Chua to lead the evacuation and transfer of guests.





It will be noted that Palabyab led the “Rescue Squad” last Sunday that facilitated the evacuation of foreign and local tourists billeted at the Makati hotels.





“The joint efforts of the government and the private sectors during the recent crisis is an indication that the ‘culture of tourism’ is at work in its grass roots,” Gordon pointed out.





Gordon lauded the officials of Victory Liner Bus Company, particularly Pocholo Galian, for extending full support in providing three tourist buses to transport the evacuees.





Gordon also lauded hotel personnel for their extraordinary camaraderie shown in times of crisis.





Affected Makati business hotels coordinated with other hotel partners located along Roxas Boulevard in Manila and Pasay City to assure hassle-free transfer of guests.





At least 100 guests from Oakwood, 100 from Intercontinental Manila, and 82 from Makati Shangrila Hotel; were peacefully transferred to Westin Philippine Plaza, Traders Hotel and Century Park Manila by the joint efforts of the DOT and the private sector.





Some of the foreign guests transferred to other hotels and now back at InterContinental are Prakash Samuel, Director of Ebiz Global Consulting Pty Ltd., Peter Black, Warwick Morgan, Ted Blood, David Brnham and John Ruud a sailor who comes here often.





“Despite the peaceful conclusion of the nearly 20-hour military mutiny last Sunday, the ultimate losers would still be the ordinary Filipinos,” Gordon stressed.





Gordon added that for the country to recover soon from the recent event, the Filipinos should now work harder and be more aggressive in “attracting tourists, assuring them of their safety, and being accountable to them” while in the country.





He said that this is the essence of our “culture of tourism.” (PNA)

 

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