HOTELS in Cebu are getting more bookings as the Sinulog Festival approaches.
Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRAC) president Carlo Suarez said occupancy is increasing in hotels in Cebu, as tourists book rooms in advance.
“Our occupancy is still increasing and we will be able to know if all hotels are fully booked one week prior to the Sinulog,” Suarez said.
For now, Suarez said they are not affected by the United Kingdom’s (UK) travel advisory to southern Cebu after the bombing in Cotabato City on Dec. 31.
“There is no negative feedback. So far, everybody’s happy,” he said.
The United Kingdom warned its citizens not to travel to Mindanao and Southern Cebu, following the bombing of South Seas Mall in Cotabato City that killed two persons and wounded 34 others.
Last year, Suarez said there were fewer tourists and he hopes that it will change this year.
“I received feedback that there were hotels that were slow during the Sinulog last year. Hopefully, with our efforts, there will be more people that will book rooms,” he said. “We’ll see if we will be busier this year compared to last year.”
Harolds Hotel general manager Ed Tongco said they have been receiving early reservations.
“We’re doing good and occupancy is getting better, especially since the Sinulog is near,” Tongco said.
Last year, the Sinulog drew a 1.4 million crowd.
The Sinulog Festival is celebrated every third Sunday of January in honor of Sto. Niño.
Meanwhile HRRAC will be working closely with national organizations to strengthen Cebu’s voice in the tourism industry.
Suarez said they will strengthen their ties with the Hotel Restaurant Association of the Philippines and Philippine Hotel Owners Association Inc. to make Cebu’s organization solid, as it expects exciting times to continue in the tourism sector this year.
“What we want for Cebu now is to tap our Manila counterparts so our voices will also be heard, at the same time create a bigger voice for the industry,” said Suarez.
The strengthened partnership will also give HRRAC members the opportunity to learn best practices from the big players in Manila.
“We want to align with them in terms of hotel training, standardization, and all other concerns,” said Suarez.
This is the first time in recent years that the Cebu hospitality sector will officially join the national industry group.
As the voice of the industry, the organization composed of 95 members provides an avenue for strategic alliances among its member companies, associates, schools, and other stakeholders.
Suarez said with the bullish growth that the tourism sector is enjoying, it is but important for members to learn from each other and come up with collective initiatives to support the industry’s growth. (KOC / JOB)