Hotels lobby for aid after losing mandatory quarantine business

THE hotel industry is asking for government aid after the easing of quarantine requirements took away one of their more reliable sources of business during the pandemic — mandatory hotel stays while observing the quarantine period.

The government recently allowed fully vaccinated travelers from a list of countries not requiring a visa for entry to skip the requirement to stay in a recognized facility during their quarantine.

Benito C. Bengzon, Jr., Philippine Hotel Owners Association, Inc. (PHOA) executive director, said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay virtual forum on Wednesday that hotels have experienced a drop in occupancy following the removal of mandatory quarantine.  

“Right now, many of our hotels are recording single-digit occupancy… many of them were really banking on the quarantined guests for revenue,” Mr. Bengzon said.  

 “What we would like is some kind of financial assistance to help tide us over in the next six to 12 months. Perhaps this is something that we can discuss in greater detail with the relevant agencies, particularly with respect to the possibility of a stimulus program for hotels, whether they are members of PHOA or otherwise,” he added.

On Jan. 28, Malacañang announced that fully vaccinated travelers are allowed to enter the country without having to undergo mandatory quarantine. They are only required to present a negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test taken at least 48 hours prior to their departure.

The new policy on returning Filipinos was in force on Feb. 1, while the removal of such restrictions on foreigners will begin on Feb. 10.

Mr. Bengzon said that “Moving forward, even as we open our borders to international travel, it is important to provide a lifeline to the hotels which have been suffering.”  

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said at the virtual forum that the Philippines is ready for the reopening of international travel.

Ms. Romulo-Puyat said fully vaccinated travelers are exempt from the limit of 5,000 arrivals limit set by the government.

“Allowing the entry of these international travelers is a welcome development that will lead to growth in the travel and tourism sector, the restoration of lost jobs, the generation of much-needed revenue for tourism-related enterprises, tourism communities and the government, plus many other benefits that will be felt by the entire tourism value chain,” Ms. Romulo-Puyat said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave