UN tourism body says travel advisories should not blanket a whole country

An official from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) on Wednesday reminded that the issuance of travel advisories should only focus on specific areas and not affect an entire country.

"Many countries have suffered from travel advises. UNWTO has a very clear position in that regard," said Marcio Favilla, Executive Director for Competitiveness, External Relations and Partnership of UNWTO, at a press conference during the international conference on tourism statistics.

"Countries who issue travel advises, of course they are considering the safety of their citizens, it's their obligation. But they have to consider, they have to have their travel advises in a geo-reference base," he added.

"It should not throw a blanket over the whole country but be very clear on where the problems are," Favilla said.

Favilla also emphasized that travel advisories must be time-bound.

"It should not be issued one day and be there forever, they should clearly indicate when it was issued and how long," Favilla said.

In the previous months, some countries warned their citizens about traveling to the Philippines due to terrorism attacks in Mindanao and Central Visayas.

Favilla added the countries affected by travel advisories must be consulted first.

"That consultation would eventually lead to a more precise, more correct travel advise," he said.

"If countries follow this, I think we would have a better situation in that regard," Favilla added. —NB, GMA News