MEMBER properties of the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) have incorporated in their marketing initiatives the selling of travel insurance and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test among foreign tourists to make travel to Cebu easy and seamless.

HRRAC president Alfred Reyes said when foreign tourists book accommodation in Cebu they now have the option to purchase travel insurance which is now a requirement among visiting tourists.

On their return schedule, they can also arrange ahead for an RT-PCR test to be performed at their hotel for them to pass through countries with varying requirements for travel.

Partners

The group has partnered with PhilInsure and Pacific Cross for the travel insurance and Prime Care Alpha Covid-19 Testing Laboratory for the RT-PCR test.

“HRRAC has now become a one-stop shop for travelers to make travel to Cebu seamless and accessible. We intend to implement these initiatives on April 1,” said Reyes.

Starting April 1, there will be no limit to the number of international passengers arriving in all ports of entry in the country. The resumption of visa issuances by Philippine embassies and consulates will also start on April 1 to coincide with the total removal of arrival quotas.

Improving occupancy

Reyes said the industry expects the influx of foreign guests by then, citing the improved occupancy of hotels and resorts, averaging at 30 to 40 percent since the easing of travel restrictions and the reopening of the country’s borders to foreign leisure travelers from visa-free countries on Feb. 10.

“It is getting better now, a lot better. Airlines are full every time they landed in Cebu. But what we are seeing more now are business travelers rather than leisure guests but hopefully, the leisure market will pick up in the coming months,” he said.

Reyes said big resorts in Mactan Island are now gradually reopening their door which is a good indication of recovery from the pandemic and typhoon Odette (Rai).

Over 100K inbound arrivals

According to data generated from the One Health Pass, inbound visitor arrivals to the Philippines have now reached 102,031 as of March 16, a high note for the country since its closure of borders at the onset of the pandemic in 2020, the Department of Tourism said.

Tourists from the United States remain the top contributor to the total foreign tourist arrivals to the Philippines since its reopening of borders on Feb. 10 until March 16 with 22,243; followed by Canada with 4,852; the United Kingdom with 4,386; South Korea with 3,748; Australia with 3,387; Vietnam with 2,656; Germany with 1,976; and Japan with 1,752.