HOTELS, particularly in Metro Manila, are planning a happier Christmas this year with revenue from extended stays by Balikbayans (returnees Filipinos) and social gatherings.
“The change in quarantine policy will help improve the occupancy and, to some extent, sales of our hotels,” said Benito C. Bengzon Jr., executive director of the Philippine Hotel Operators Association, in a Viber message to BusinessMirror. “Even with the quarantine requirement, we remain optimistic that it won’t stop Balikbayans from coming home over the holidays as many of them are fully vaccinated and want to reunite with loved ones,” he added.
Due to the gradual worldwide spread of the Covid-19 Omicron variant, the Philippine government has banned flights from so-called Red List countries, while international arrivals from countries on the Green and Yellow List have to take an RT-PCR test 72 hours before departure. If the result is negative, they must be quarantined in a state-approved hotel for five days if they are fully vaccinated, or seven days if they are not or partially vaccinated, upon arrival at the main gateways in the country.
“Regardless of a negative RT-PCR test result, you must undergo quarantine at home until the 14th day after the arrival date,” states Resolution No. 152 of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases on December 2, 2021 Vaccinated travelers are tested on the fifth day of their hotel quarantine, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers on the seventh day of quarantine.
“More self-confidence since Halloween”
Hotels are also optimistic because they are now allowed to hold social gatherings, although they still have to strictly enforce health and safety protocols.
Peggy Angeles, Executive Vice President of SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. said: “As long as the Alert Level remains at 2 and the Omicron variant does not come into the country, we will definitely see a better and happier Christmas this year compared to last year . Confidence has increased since the long weekend on October 31, and we hope that this positive trend will continue not only over Christmas but also into the coming year. “
She added: “There will be more family celebrations in December 2021, especially with children who are now allowed to go out. However, this would mean that these are small events. Companies are still cautious, and rightly so, as most did not do well financially. Nevertheless, I see a doubling of the income compared to December 2020. But that only means that December will somehow cover some (not all) of the weak months of 2021. “
She said that year-end happiness will not only be felt by all SMHCC hotels across the country, “it should be the trend for most hotels in NCR (National Capital Region), Luzon Visayas or Mindanao.”
Enough hotel rooms
Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism (DOT) assured the public that despite the lengthy quarantine period, there will be enough hotel rooms to accommodate the forecast influx of Balikbayan travelers this holiday season.
“Even with the five-day quarantine for every arriving Balikbayan, there will still be enough hotel rooms to accommodate them in NCR,” said Christopher V. Morales, DOT Undersecretary of State for Tourism Regulation, Coordination and Resource Generation.
He added: “The team, led by the Department of Transportation and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, is working closely with us to make adjustments and preparations for quarantine hotels.
