Albay tourism grows despite Mayon eruption

As Mount Mayon displayed eruptive fury over the past week, more tourists have flocked to the province compared to the previous year, the Albay Tourism Office said on Saturday.

According to a Balitanghali report by Mariz Umali, the tourism office said an influx of walk-in guests of hotels in the province has made up for the 10 percent of hotel bookings canceled due to Mayon's unrest.

The province has gained up to P5 million in tourism revenue for the past two weeks.

The ruins of Cagsawa church in the town of Daraga received 25 percent more guests in January compared to the previous year.

Up to 19,000 tourists have visited the ruins containing the remnants of the 16th-century Franciscan bell tower within the month so far.

As Alert Level four remains raised over Mount Mayon, the tourism office provided a list of sites where people can safely witness the volcano's lava fountaining.

However, PHIVOLCS reminded the public that entry into the eight-kilometer-radius danger zone is strictly prohibited. — Margaret Claire Layug/MDM, GMA News