INAMPULUGAN ISLAND, Guimaras -- The oil spill that has devastated wide areas of Guimaras is taking its toll on the promising and vibrant tourism industry of this island, resort owners and tourism officials say.

Tourism Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano said that two weeks after the oil spill, resort owners suffered P3.54 million in losses from cancelled bookings and opportunity losses. He said tourists have stayed away from the island even if only a portion of the tourist destinations have been affected or threatened by the oil spill.

Tourism regional director Edwin Trompeta said that, of the 24 tourist destinations affected by the spill, seven are beach resorts, four are island resorts are 13 are islets including the Taklong island where a national marine sanctuary is located. Helen Stummer, owner of the Nagarao Island Resort, said bookings made by their mostly foreign guests were canceled right after the oil spill tragedy.

The island is known for its diving sites. But sludge has covered its beaches since the MT Solar I sank southwest of Guimaras on August 11 carrying 2 million liters of bunker fuel.

The cancellations include regular guests who rent beach cottages from one to three months usually in the period from October to February. Salvacion Gentizon of the Raymen Beach Resort in Nueva Valencia said a booking for 30 guests from Manila who were planning to stay for three days was canceled.

"They called up to inquire about the situation but they would not believe that our resort is not affected," said Gentizon. Business has also slumped for Rosie Gaitan, owner of Guisi Beach Resort in Dolores village in Nueva Valencia. "Even the excursionists are not coming."

The resort owners said they hope the overnight visit of President Macapagal-Arroyo at the Coast Aguada resort here on Monday will help boost the image of Guimaras.

The President who convened a meeting of the National Disaster Coordinating Council said the government is "on top of the situation". She remains hopeful that Guimaras would recover from the impact of the spill, considered the worst in the country's history, and even emerged better. Trompeta said the tourism industry of Guimaras will recover because the island's attractions are "multi-faceted", unlike Boracay.

"The attractions are not just beaches. We have resorts ideal for mountain, hiking, climbing, cycling and agro tourism. It will recover, even if it will take time," said Trompeta.

Tourists on this island reached 136,632 tourists in 2004. Local tourists comprised the main bulk reaching 133,638 while foreign tourists numbered 2,994. Income from tourism has significantly increased in recent years from P6.1 million in 2003, P8.2 million in 2004 and P20.64 million in 2005.

The Department of Tourism will embark on a rehabilitation and marketing program for the affected tourist destinations on the island.

Durano said they will sponsor a familiarization tour for travel writers, tour operators and agencies this year. Popular events like an international mountain bike competition will also be held here. The island will also be included in the New Zealand-DOT eco-tourism program to include programs on livelihood for those employed in the tourism industry.

Durano said the opening of the international airports in Silay City in Negros Occidental and in Sta. Barbara town in Iloilo will also attract tourists to visit Guimaras.*NPB

back to top