12/02/2026
BANTAYAN ISLAND HOTELS ISSUE WARNING VS ONLINE BOOKING SCAMS
Bantayan Island hotels and resort owners are warning visitors about a rise in online booking scams, which have already affected hundreds of travelers. Since September 2025, about 200 cases have been reported, with new victims still emerging as recently as February 9, according to Nelson Yuvallos, president of the One Island Tourism Association (OITA).
Unlike typical scams that offer suspiciously low prices, these fraudulent listings use realistic rates, making them harder to detect. “This warning is meant to raise awareness, not to damage Bantayan Island’s tourism image,” Yuvallos said.
Local officials, including Santa Fe Councilor Jaypee Lao, said a large syndicate may be behind the scams, creating fake pages that replicate real resorts. In one case, a fraudulent page for Anika Island Resort gained 50,000 likes while the resort’s actual page was temporarily offline. Tourists who book through these pages often arrive to find no reservation and lose their money.
Scammers typically use “dummy” bank accounts, claim bank maintenance issues, and then request payment through personal GCash or e-wallet accounts.
This wave of fraud comes as the island is recovering from a magnitude 6.9 earthquake in September 2025 and two major typhoons in November. Industry leaders are concerned that scams may discourage the 10,000 visitors expected for Holy Week, with some resorts offering humanitarian assistance such as free meals or discounted stays to affected travelers.
Authorities from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group are investigating the incidents. The Department of Tourism advises travelers to:
1. Verify official websites or verified social media accounts before booking.
2. Avoid sending payments to personal accounts or unverified e-wallets.
3. Check verified hotel lists provided by local government offices.
Councilor Lao is also considering a local ordinance that would prohibit hotels from accepting e-wallet payments to reduce untraceable transactions.
Tourism leaders emphasize that vigilance and booking directly through verified channels are key to ensuring safe and enjoyable trips.
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This story originally appeared on SunStar Cebu. Graphics and edits by Destination PH.
