Bantayan Island Tourism Industry Alerts Public to Escalating Online Booking Scams
Hotel and resort operators on Bantayan Island have issued a stern public warning against a surge in sophisticated online booking scams. This alarming trend is already impacting tourists, visitors, and local accommodation providers as the island prepares for the anticipated influx of travelers during the upcoming Semana Santa season.
Official Warning from Tourism Association
During a recent press conference, Nelson Yuvallos, President of the One Island Tourism Association (OITA), clarified that this warning is not intended to damage Bantayan's tourism image. Instead, its primary goal is to heighten public awareness and vigilance against fraudulent online transactions that have been reported by both tourists and local establishments.
Yuvallos confirmed that OITA has already received multiple reports concerning scam-related bookings specifically for the Semana Santa period, which is traditionally the peak season for tourist arrivals on the island.
Deceptive Tactics and Victim Impact
He explained that many victims are deceived because the prices offered by these scam operations fall within the normal range, unlike the typically inflated rates expected during Semana Santa. This makes the fraudulent offers appear legitimate and attractive to unsuspecting travelers.
Santa Fe Councilor Jaypee Lao expressed concern that due to the scale and organization of these scams, they may be linked to a larger syndicate. Lao noted that these incidents are recurring and involve the use of numerous fake online accounts that meticulously mimic legitimate hotel and resort pages.
A Concrete Example: The Anika Resort Case
Hotel operators highlighted the case of Anika Resort as a stark example. The resort's official Facebook page was reportedly taken down, while a fraudulent page using the resort's name and photographs amassed nearly 50,000 followers. In contrast, the newly restored official page started with fewer than 1,000 followers, while the fake page had gained over 30,000.
The direct consequence of these scams, according to hotel managers, is that visitors arrive on Bantayan Island without valid reservations despite having made online payments. This creates significant operational disruptions and financial losses.
Humanitarian Response and Operational Losses
Some establishments have chosen to accommodate these scam victims without additional charges due to humanitarian considerations, even after confirming the bookings as fraudulent. Hotel operators emphasized that these incidents disrupt normal hotel operations and result in substantial revenue losses, further straining businesses during a critical period.
The collective call from the island's tourism sector is for increased public caution and verification when making online bookings to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit to Bantayan.
