Hotels optimistic as staycations now allowed in Metro Manila

As Metro Manila is set to fall under the Alert Level 3 status from October 16 to 31, a hotel group has expressed optimism as several hotels in the country’s capital will be allowed to operate for staycation purposes.

According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), staycations are allowed at 100 percent operational capacity in areas under Alert Level 3.

In a statement, the Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) welcomed the lifting of the restrictions on staycations, as this will help the accommodation industry recover the revenues that were lost during the imposition of hard lockdowns due to the surge of Delta coronavirus variant in August.

“We are optimistic that the relaxed alert level in the National Capital Region will result in greater demand among hotel guests and boost the establishments’ revenues in the last quarter of 2021,” PHOA Executive Director Benito Bengzon said.

Bengzon stressed that PHOA-member hotels commit their support to the government’s efforts for the safe and steady restart of the tourism industry.

“PHOA hopes that the government will continue implementing measures that will balance the health and economy in the country. This will pave the way for a sustained economic recovery, not only in the hotel industry, but also in other business sectors,” Bengzon said.

For her part, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat also welcomed the lifting of restrictions on staycations.

“This is also very timely, knowing that the holiday season is fast approaching. Family gatherings are part of the Filipino culture, which makes this an important period for leisure travels and bookings,”Puyat said.

The DOT stressed that only DOT-accredited staycation hotels with Safety Seal certification will be allowed to accommodate staycation guests.

According to the National Capital Region (NCR) unit of the Department of Tourism (DOT), there are currently 30 hotels in Metro Manila that have been issued with certificates of authority for staycation (CAOS).

Among these include Makati-based hotels such as The Peninsula Manila, Aruga by Rockwell, Discovery Primea, Fairmont and Raffles Hotel, Makati Diamond Residences, New World Hotel Makati, and Holiday Inn and Suites Makati.

In Bonifacio Global City, hotels issued with the CAOS are Grand Hyatt Hotel, Shangri-La The Fort and Seda BGC.

Paranaque hotels, on the other hand, include Okada Manila Hotel, Nobu Hotel, Solaire Resort, Hyatt Regency and Nuwa Hotel at the City of Dreams.

Sheraton Manila Hotel, Hilton Manila, Hotel Okura Manila, Conrad Manila, Sofitel Philippine Plaza,Belmont Hotel Manila, and Marriott Hotel Manila all in Pasay City also received their respective CAOS.

Other hotels that have been issued their CAOS include Joy-Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila, Diamond Hotel Philippines, Marco Polo Hotel, Century Park Hotel, Novotel Manila Araneta City, The Bellevue Manila, Acacia Hotel Manila, and The Manila Hotel.

Where was published in Property Report Ph and written by Catherine Talavera.