Bohol tourism council urges temporary closure of Chocolate Hills view deck area

Citing safety reasons, the Bohol provincial tourism council on Monday urged the temporary closure of the view deck area of the famous Chocolate Hills.

The province also noted a reduction in tourist arrivals in November, a month after a magnitude-7.2 quake hit Central Visayas, state-run Philippine Information Agency reported.

According to the PIA report, the provincial tourism council noted the structure had collapsed during the quake, and has yet to be cleared for operation.

Bohol is one of the areas hit hardest by the Oct. 15 quake.

November tourism arrivals down

Meanwhile, the PIA reported said provincial tourism council chairman Atty. Lucas Nunag noted a reduction in tourist arrivals by up to 50 percent in November.

However, the Bohol tourism council also cited "indicators" that show tourist arrivals might increase slightly this Christmas season.

On the other hand, the PIA also noted the nine-day dawn Masses started Monday, even in areas where the churches had been destroyed or damaged. — BM, GMA News