The Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) has urged the government to at least allow the holding of regulated meetings, convention, and events under the general community quarantine (GCQ) to help the tourism industry survive amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
At a recent virtual meeting with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Congress of the Philippines, the HSMA asked the government to allow regulated meetings and some social events under GCQ to keep the industry afloat.
“Those present in the meeting discussed the hotel’s position to be allowed to accept MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions)+socials under GCQ (general community quarantine). This position will greatly assist hotels financially to keep afloat during these challenging times during the pandemic,”HSMA said in a statement.
The country’s hotel industry has been badly beaten by the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the casualties of the pandemic is Makati Shangri-La Manila, which temporarily shut down.
In an earlier statement, a Shangri-La spokesperson said the decision to temporarily close Makati Shangri-La was arrived at as the prolonged recovery timeline has resulted in increasing financial pressure on the company in the Philippines.
“Despite our best efforts, the prolonged recovery timeline has resulted in increasing financial pressure on the company here in the Philippines,” the company said in a statement.
The HSMA said the concerned hotels vowed to comply with any proposed measures to ensure a safe experience for all stakeholders.
“[The program] provides elevated cleanliness and sanitation across entire attendee experience. Ultimately, the goal is to create a safe and comfortable environment for meeting organizers, event planners, and their attendees,” it said.
As of Dec. 2020, venues inside hotels in areas under GCQ and not being used as quarantine facilities may accept bookings for workshops, training, seminars, congresses, conferences, conventions, board meetings, colloquia, conclaves, symposia, and consumer trade shows. Venue capacity is capped at 30 per cent. – BusinessNews.ph
