Tuesday, May 5, 2009

May 5, 2009

MANILA, Philippines (May 4, 2009) - The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised the H1N1 virus, commonly called swine flu, to the 5th level on a 6-level scale, after the virus has spread to more than a dozen countries, indicating that an influenza pandemic is imminent.

There has been no reported case of H1N1 flu in the Philippines, and is thus declared as an H1N1-free destination.

The government is closely monitoring all incoming travelers in six international airports, seaports and other airports servicing chartered flights with thermal scanners to detect body temperatures. Special isolation areas have also been put up in these ports to quarantine travelers exhibiting flu symptoms, especially those coming from places with reported cases of H1N1 flu.

The government further required public and private hospitals to be on heightened alert and to monitor and report suspicious cases of H1N1 flu. Regional tourism offices have been instructed to stay vigilant and work in close coordination with concerned government agencies in monitoring H1N1 cases.

No cancellations on tour packages to the country were reported by the tourism industry.

For information on the exotic, 7,107-island Philippine archipelago, visit www.experiencephilippines.ph or contact the Philippine Department of Tourism in Los Angeles at 213-487-4525, San Francisco at 415-956-4060; New York at 212-575-7915 or Chicago at 312-782-2475.

Philippine Department of Tourism

The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) is one of the Executive Departments of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines responsible for the promotion of travel to the Philippines, tourism investments, and enhancement and preservation of tourism products in the country. Field offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and San Francisco provide the following services free of charge on a selective basis: dissemination of tourism information, maps, brochures and posters; lending out of videos, CDs and other tourism-related materials; recommendations on places to visit; endorsement of relevant entities; and assistance to those traveling to the Philippines. These offices also engage in a number of promotional activities: presentations to travel organizations, travel trade shows, media inserts and joint marketing arrangements.

The Philippine Department of Tourism is headquartered in Manila, Philippines, with offices in Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. For more information, contact the Philippine Department of Tourism in Chicago at 312-782-2475 or visit www.experiencephilippines.ph.

Kahn Travel Communications (KTC) is the appointed publicist for the Philippine Department of Tourism, covering North America. Media may contact KTC at (516) 594-4100, or via e-mail at j.kahn@ktcpr.com.

Media Contact
KTCpr: Josh Kahn/Kelly Graham
Tel: (516) 594-4100
J.Kahn@KTCpr.com or K.Graham@KTCpr.com