Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Thursday urged boosting tourism promotion abroad as hotel owners called for a “financial lifeline” from the government.
At the Laging Handa public briefing, Puyat was asked about the hotel owners’ appeal, as the government will no longer require hotel quarantine.
“Tingin ko kakaunti lang yun kasi mismo noong nag-announce na magbubukas na ang Pilipinas at no quarantine, mismo yung mga hotels owners sinabi nila masaya sila,” she said.
(I think there are only few asking for financial assistance because hotel owners themselves told me that they are happy that the country is opening up and quarantine is no longer required.)
“…Continuous promotion abroad para tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbubukas ng turismo [so the opening up of tourism industry will continue],” she added.
Puyat said she was surprised that hotel owners were appealing for financial aid due to the adjustment in quarantine protocol for returning Filipinos, saying she has been in coordination with them.
On Wednesday, hotel operators said they were seeking financial stimulus from the government following the removal of the mandatory quarantine for select international arrivals.
Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) executive director Benito “Bong” Bengzon said a number of local hotels are recording single-digit occupancy due to removal of the mandatory quarantine.
“The reason for this is that many of them were really banking on occupancy and the reason for this is that many of them were really banking on the quarantine guests for the revenue stream,” he said.
“This has been put to a halt almost completely and has therefore affected the revenue stream,” he added. — BM, GMA News
DOT chief suggests promotion abroad amid calls for financial aid for hotels
Source: News Panda Philippines
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