More tourists are coming from Singapore, Australia and China, which made up for a reduction in the arrivals form Europe and the United States, Gordon said, adding that tourist numbers would be even higher if the United States had not issued warnings about travel to Southeast Asia as a result of fears for possible terror attacks.

Earlier this month, the US government upgraded its travel warning for Americans in the Philippines, advising them to exercise "extra precautions" in view of the number of recent security-related incidents. But Gordon said, "An advisory is not a cancellation, it is not a banning. It just says 'be careful'."

Gordon, however, admitted that it was important for the government and the public to be more vigilant in combating crime and terrorism to convince the world that it is safe to visit the Philippines. Starting on Friday, Manila will host a two-day international conference on terrorism and its effect on tourism in the region.

Southeast Asian nations are criticizing some western countries for indiscriminate travel advisories against them, saying this will only ruin their economies and incur more terror accidents there.

In another development, the US Embassy in Manila has called off a memorial ceremony originally scheduled for early next week at the city's American cemetery, fearing possible terror attacks.

The bombing at Indonesia's Bali resort in October killed almost 200 people, many of them Australian. A series of bombing attacks also rocked Manila and the southern Philippines, claiming at least 22 lives including an American serviceman.

(eastday.com November 8, 2002)