THE hotel industry continues to struggle under the weight of the pandemic travel restrictions with revenue losses widening as much as 60-70 percent.
This was according to board members of the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association Inc. (HSMA), which has aired another SOS call this year, encouraging travel revengers to join its September Online Sale.
In an online presser on Tuesday, HSMA president Benjamin Martinez (Bayleaf Hotels) said the group hopes to “exceed last year’s sales,” now that promotion is for one month—from September 15 to October 15. Last year’s SOS generated P14 million in sales and 2,000 sales vouchers. Vouchers are good for at least a year.
“We are also including the ancillary services of the properties such as restaurants, bars, banquet packages, spa, gym and pool, and other facilities of the hotel, making this year’s campaign more thrilling and inviting,” he said. Hotel stay vouchers will be issued only by non-quarantine and multiple-use hotels. Quarantine and isolation hotels are also participating in the sales event, he added, by selling vouchers for banquet and event packages, along with food and beverage offers.
According to HSMA Secretary Amie Villena (Bellevue Hotel), 80 hotels and resorts across the country will be participating in this year’s SOS, offering deals and discounts of as much as 70-percent off.
The participating hotels include those managed by major international hospitality groups, as well as popular, home-grown hotel chains. A few, like Linden Suites for example, also have additional perks for vaccinated guests.
Among the major destinations in the sales lineup are Manila, Pasay, and Parañaque (12 participating hotels); Makati, Bonifacio Global City, and Alabang (13); Pasig and Quezon City (10); Northern Luzon (5); Southern Luzon (7); Boracay and Iloilo (13); Cebu and Bohol (12); as well as Palawan and Mindanao (7). The full list of participating hotels and resorts and their offers are at www.hsma.org.ph/sos.
In a keynote speech, Tourism Promotion Board Chief Operating Officer Ma. Anthonette Allones-Velasco described the sales event as timely,” as many parts of the country, particularly the National Capital Region, will soon be under general community quarantine status. She cited the recent Department of Tourism survey, which showed “70 percent [of respondents] are willing to travel even without being vaccinated.”
Malacañang announced on Monday that 15 million Filipinos are now fully vaccinated against Covid-19, which Allones-Velasco said could help “top HSMA’s sales last year,” with many eager to travel for mental wellness.
For her part, HSMA board chair Margie Munsayac (Bluewater Resorts), said SOS will empower Filipinos to make an “investment of hope,” not just in their future travels, but in the future of the industry and the country as well. “This is our chance to extend a helping hand to the travel sector, so that they may regain their footing and continue serving the Filipino people through essential quarantine accommodations and leisure services. This is also a kind of victory over the pandemic, that we are seizing the opportunity to rediscover and reconnect with the beauty of our country.”
Meanwhile, vaccination among the 140 HSMA member-properties has also stepped up. Director of Ways and Means Cristina Carreon (Marriott Hotels) said, “98 percent of the total employees of HSMA member-hotels have been vaccinated, and this may go up to 100 percent with the second dose scheduled today and tomorrow.”