Filipinos and other residents of Belgium continue to enjoy traveling in and out of the country amid a growing number of people infected by A(H1N1) worldwide.

This according to some travel agencies became more obvious due to several advance bookings and reservations made in April despite travel advisories issued by the government and several embassies.

“I just think that the virus didn’t affect this market. If they want to travel, they just gonna travel,” said Philippe Defooz, consultant of Antipodes travel agency.

Many Filipinos picked the months of July, August and December to travel back to the Philippines for a holiday.

“The increase of my passengers this year is more or less 10%. Ang mga Pilipino hindi naapektuhan ng swine flu na balita,” said ASEANA Travel Manager Benilda Rebong.

She added that it is important for Filipinos to spend time in the Philippines even with less pocket money.

“Basta ang mahalaga sa mga Pinoy ay makauwi sila. Hindi nila iniisip kung may pera man silang baon o wala. Kahit na isda lang at kamatis na pagsasaluhan ng pamilya, masaya na para sa kanila,” she said.

Rebong even cited that in year 2002 during the SARS outbreak, Pinoys were cautious to travel outside the country. But when airline companies reduce the airfares, bookings went back to normal.

Travel agencies meanwhile urged clients to heed travel advisories issued by the government and to be informed about the symptoms of A(H1N1).
 
The Ministry of Health stated that as of April, 7,877 people went to see their doctors for consultations.

Of the number, 2,353 were confirmed to have been infected with the virus. A 30-year-old woman died due to complications.

The ministry advises the public to be extra vigilant on the symptoms of the virus.