TAGBILARAN, Bohol - Embassies in the country should first coordinate with the national government before issuing travel advisories, tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said Thursday.

"Some countries only based their travel warnings on the United States' advisory. They should contact the national government to verify first," Teo said during her courtesy call to Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto.

Several countries including China, Japan, South Korea, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, and New Zealand issued travel warnings and "urged" citizens to be "especially vigilant" when traveling to some areas in the Philippines.

The advisories were released around the time government troops clashed with Abu Sayyaf members who arrived in Inabanga town last month.

At least 400 Japanese tourists cancelled trips to Cebu in April due to the presence of the extremist group, a tour operator earlier said.

The tourism department has been contacting embassies to avoid the unnecessary cancellation of bookings and trips to Bohol after the Abu Sayyaf clash, Teo said.

"We want tourists to understand that not the entire province is affected by operations against Abu Sayyaf members."

China lifted its travel advisory on April 30, while Japan clarified that it does not prohibit Japanese nationals from coming here, Teo said.