Taiwan Lifts Red Travel Alert

The government expects tourists from Taiwan to return to the Philippines, after Taipei lifted the red alert status for Taiwanese travellers bound for the country.

The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), which represents the country in Taipei, said the lifting of the travel ban would bring back thousands of Taiwanese tourists to major tourist destinations in the country.

MECO Chairman Amadeo Perez said about 120,000 Taiwanese tourists had cancelled flight and hotel reservations after Taipei issued the travel bank, following the shooting of a Taiwanese fisherman by the Coast Guard in Philippine waters on 9th May 2013.

Taipei lifted the sanctions against the Philippines, after an official apology from Manila this month.

The travel ban affected visitor arrivals and reduced tourism revenues in Bohol, Cebu, Boracay and Palawan over the last three months.

MECO said some 180,000 Taiwanese tourists visit the country annually, especially during the summer months of June to August.