Increase in hotel bookings in Oro, Iligan noted

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) in Northern Mindanao noted substantial accommodations in the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro despite Tropical Storm Sendong hitting the two cities last December 2011.

DOT-Northern Mindanao regional director Catalino Chan said hotels posted significant growth in sales even in the face of devastation due to flash floods, an indication that tourist arrivals grow. He did not, however, revealed specific figures as to the number of accommodations.

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“Even during the hype of ‘Sendong’, hotel accommodations in these cities are fully booked, an indication that tourism is good even at the time of crisis,” Chan said.

He said Tropical Storm Sendong’s destruction somehow helped boost tourism industry in Cagayan de Oro City as philanthropists and charitable institutions trooped and sought accommodations at hotels to stay for days to conduct relief operations.

Earlier reports revealed that a day after “Sendong” struck several villages in Cagayan de Oro, some affected residents belonging to the middle and higher classes settled at hotels and inns to seek refuge as their houses were completely washed out and destroyed.

Meanwhile, the DOT has readied special packages for this month for incoming and existing “helping tourists” on hotel accommodations, tapping 18 travel and tour member-firms of the Cagayan de Oro Travel and Tours Association to house the visitors who are expected to bring goods for “Sendong” victims.

Chan said the DOT also tapped the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurants Association, Department of Health and Department of Social Welfare and Development to come up with travel packages that would also encourage tourists to stay with the intention to help the victims recover from the onslaught of the flood.

He said the DOT came up with the initiative following the increasing demand of visits in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities from other countries.

DOT’s special package include hotel accommodations at a minimum of P3,350 only. Part of the offer is a round-trip airport-to-hotel transfer with half-day city tour, meals and entrance fees. Optional tours include whitewater rafting, zipline adventure and an extra night stay.

“The best inclusion in the package is that we will incorporate the tourists in doing immersion activities,” Chan said.

Chan said the tourists can have their own choice of relief operation such as feeding program, cleaning activities, tree planting or clearing the river.

Called “fun help package,” the regional tourism department’s offer would be made available until next year where part of the proceeds go to the flood victims.