Philippine’s Department of Tourism (DOT) has said tourism will play a “significant role” in rebuilding the country after the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan. Tourism already accounts for 8% of the country’s GDP and provides many jobs to communities as well as improved facilities as infrastructure is built. The DOT called on the private and public sectors to help the country return to normalcy and continue tourism growth, with many travel companies already pledging donations and help in the relief stages. “In our own way, we shall keep the torch burning. Tourism is a multiplier industry. Encouraging more travel and tourism to the country now will provide much needed jobs and livelihood for our people; and indeed put meaningful contribution to survivors of this disaster,” said Venus Q. Tan, region director, Europe in a letter to the industry. “The coming days, and indeed months to come will test the resiliency of the Philippines and the Filipino people yet again. We remain confident however that we will sail this crisis through; rebuild, move forward and come out stronger and even more determined.” The DOT’s update to the trade also included a report into the flight and hotel situation in the country. Services have now resumed from Busuanga Airport and ferries are operating as usual, although some tourists are trapped where roads are impassable. In the Cebu and Bohol areas all the hotels are operating as normal with no damage, except the Amorita in Bohol which is suffering from power cuts. Hotels in Boracay have no damage but currently have no telephone or internet connection, while many tourists are stranded in hotels on Coron Island until its roads are opened up. Club Paradise and Alegre Beach Resort has closed for repair work, while Two Seasons and Asia Grand View have minimal damage. Hotels in Manila and other parts of Luzon as well as El Nido have seen no damage, while the Malapascua Island Resorts has seen minimal damage. Source: Travel Daily