We’ve seen a surge in airline seat sales in past weeks as local travel restrictions are slowly being relaxed. Borders have started to and are planning to reopen for tourism in select parts of the country. It’s about time the hospitality industry followed suit, and it will be made possible by the much-awaited September Online Sale happening this month.
Featuring deals from 89 of the Philippines’ top hotels and resorts, 2020’s biggest online tourism sale will offer exclusive discounts of up to 70% off in key destinations across the country. The September Online Sale is spearheaded by the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) Philippines and will take place from 15 to 30 Sep 2020 on HSMA’s official website.
Also read: Slowly But Surely: Here’s What Tourism Reopening Looks Like in The Philippines
What travellers can expect at the September Online Sale
In a survey, HSMA found out the feasibility of offering vouchers which inspired the September Online Sale. On top of elaborate discounts for room prices and stay packages, the sale — which is supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), Atlantis and Isentia — comes with flexible conditions essential for a safe and hassle-free post-pandemic trip.
“Some of the promos are valid for up to a year — and even more,” said HSMA spokesperson Pearl Maclang. Others come with no expiration at all. She added that the limited-time offers will not just help travellers save on a trip, but also help Philippine tourism recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, which has put the industry on freeze for over six months.
As the country has yet to completely bounce back from the global crisis, the participating properties will observe strict health and hygiene protocols to further protect their guests, according to HSMA Chair Margarita Munsayac.
“Months of quarantine have enabled these properties to plan carefully and in detail all these protocols, as prescribed by the government, to ensure [the] safety of guests as well as employees,” she told the media.
Participating properties and deals to look out for
Around Metro Manila’s leisure centres, travellers can book discounted rates in hotels like Belmont Hotel Manila and Golden Phoenix Manila. For a staycation in business centres, there’s Dusit Thani Manila, New World Makati Hotel, and Shangri-La at The Fort. In more commercial areas, book a stay in Ace Hotel and Suites, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, and Seda Vertis North.
A few hours’ drive from the Philippine capital, Quest Hotel Tagaytay is offering an overnight stay with breakfast for ₱2,499. Similarly, The Bayleaf Cavite has prepared vouchers for its Overnight Deluxe Rooms. You can also avail of Las Casas de Filipinas de Acuzar rooms at 55% off while enjoying a heritage tour. If you’re travelling with another person, enjoy huge discounts on Grand Sierra Pines Hotel’s degustation menu in Baguio.
Throughout Palawan and Visayas, recreational activities that come with discounted room rates are up for grabs. Get them at The Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay, The Bellevue Resort Bohol, and Club Paradise Palawan. Bluewater Resorts (Maribago, Sumilon, and Panglao) are also offering 65% OFF their published room rates with the promo code: 𝐇𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐎𝐒.
Others, like Discovery Shores Boracay, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, and Seda Lio, are offering great dining freebies. Anyone planning private events can further head to Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort and Dusit Thani D2 Davao in Mindanao.
The full list of participating hotels and their offers is available on HSMA’s official website.
Help the Philippine hospitality industry recover
Through advanced bookings at the September Online Sale, you can support approximately 5.7 million workers in the local hospitality industry. Not to mention, help the industry recover from up to 80% loss in revenue this year, as well as provide hope for the future of Philippine tourism according to HSMA President Christine Ibarreta.
“We have no illusions that life will be the same — if and when restrictions are lifted,“ she said. “It will also enable us to plan ahead in terms of manpower and other operational requirements so that we will be able to hit the ground running when the pandemic scare is over.” With the rest of the industry stakeholders, she remains optimistic about the coming months especially with the launch of the September Online Sale.
Also read: 5 Ways You Can Support the Local Tourism Scene After COVID-19
Aside from the two-week virtual event, a web talk will also be held on HSMA’s official Facebook page on 11 Sep 2020 from 4pm. It will feature Attorney Tonette Allones of TPB. Along with him will be Filipino-American vlogger Wil Dasovich and lifestyle and travel TV host David Celdran.
With these events’ help, HSMA — a local association of hotel marketers — is confident that domestic tourism can come out stronger. “We believe that we will see the opening of domestic travel corridors by October, and more by December,” HSMA Vice President Benjie Martinez further said. “Come summer of 2021, we can expect the hospitality sector to be in a fairly better situation, as more people find ways to wake up in different parts of the Philippines.”
Information extracted from a press release issued by the MG Asia Public Relations, Inc. on behalf of HSMA.
