FOR revenge travelers, money is no object.
Tourism leaders and stakeholders representatives said on Wednesday during the BusinessMirror’s Coffee Club that many Filipinos who were locked down for two years during the pandemic are now spending on expensive hotels and airfare, even extra tours and purchases, just to enjoy their vacations with their families.
“We really felt the revenge tourism during Holy Week,” said Fe Abling-Yu, president of the Philippine Tour Operators Association (Philtoa). “[Prices] of accommodations and airfare were so high and just the same, there were takers. These days, no one is talking about prices anymore. Everyone just wants to get out of their houses. And before, those who traveled were just mothers and fathers, now it’s multi-generational, everyone is brought along for the vacation,” she added.
Prior to the pandemic, in 2019, whenever people went on vacations and visited resorts, they just went for the swimming, she noted, but now they even pay for extras like “dinners at the beachfront.”
Alex Aquino, head of marketing for Swissotel Clark and Widus Hotel and Casino, echoed the same: “Now people really look for meaningful experiences. When they spend, they really splurge. They would buy what they like, they would spend on what they really want, to maximize their per night stay. And they will do what they can, not just in the hotel, but also in the nearby attractions and points of interest.”
Sue Geminiano, marketing manager of Hotel Sogo, added this pandemic taught many, “Money is not important. More important is our memories with our loved ones. Because of the loss many felt [for those who passed away during Covid] and because the pandemic leveled all businesses, the non-tangibles became important like saying ‘I love you’ to our families, giving presents, this is now their gift to their families, to bring them out and travel. They no longer cared how much they earned or save, but what would make their families happy…. So majority is splurging.”
Post-Holy Week, bookings are still up
For her part, Margarita Munsayac, vice president of Bluewater Resorts, said bookings have been consistent at their properties even after the Holy Week. “These are summer months and traditionally have high occupancies, not only for leisure staycations, but also for MICE [Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions], and social events. You will see a lot of people getting married, you will see a lot of companies having team-building activities, and a lot of staycation guests as well. When before we used to have problems during weekdays, now we have sustainable occupancies all days long,” she said.
She added, she looked forward to June when international travelers are expected to visit the country.
Tourism Promotions Board Deputy Chief Operating for Marketing and Promotions Charles Aames M. Bautista, said the Philippines is now receiving a lot of interest from new markets like Russia, South America, from Australia and New Zealand. “We do encourage everyone to maximize these opportunities to marketing their businesses in those countries,” he said.
He added, one of the things that attracts foreign tourists to the Philippines is the “culturally-sensitive” staff of many accommodations and destinations. “We’re more sensitive to the needs of tourists; that’s one of the things we need to cultivate because we are one of those destinations that do embody sustainability and inclusivity.”
Abling-Yu, who is also general manager of Arfel Travel and Tours, said Philtoa is now developing other destinations outside of those regularly visited. She encouraged tourists to check out Zamboanga along with Tawi-Tawi and Basilan, for its beaches; as well as Legazpi-Naga-Sorsogon for adventure tourism and MICE.
Image credits: Bernard Testa