Travelers return to Coron after typhoon Yolanda

CORON, Philippines – “It’s business as usual,” said Mayor Carla Reyes as travelers have started to return after typhoon Yolanda struck her town on the night of November 8.

Tourists, locals and foreigners alike, are arriving every day since commercial flights resumed its operations more than a week ago, she said in a statement.

Sea ferries from Manila not only brought relief and merchandise but visitors as well to the island provinces of Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan.

“The hotels, restaurants, dive shops, boats, vans and travel agencies are operating,” Reyes said.

Foreign tourists with scheduled bookings have emailed the mayor’s office on their intinerary including Coron to bring relief and toys for the local children, said Lyle Coruna, municipal information officer.

Secretary-General Taleb Rifai, of the United Nations World Tourism Organization said expressed optimism “that this tragic occurrence (Yolanda’s devastation of the Visayan region), the tourism sector in the Philippines will continue to strive and make a key contribution to the development of the country.”

Coron tourism officer Chippy Pe said the travel sector in the province was on a rebound.

“Supplies of food are now secured after Coron airport resumed its operations. Power is being provided by generator sets. Dive shops are all open for business. Boats can accommodate 400 tourists a day,” she said.

The famous 2,000-foot cross atop Mount Tapyas previaled upon Yolanda’s wrath.

The shrine, with its 717 steps, is the first landmark that can bee seen upon entering Coron waters.