A STRICTER Sinulog has not dampened prospects for establishments near the parade route.
The Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association of Cebu reported full occupancy on Sinulog weekend.
“These have not affected hotel bookings. In fact, we welcome the city government’s policies as these will ensure safety and security for the tourists and Cebuanos,” said HRRAC resident Carlo Suarez.
This year, the Cebu City Government announced a stricter celebration, banning street parties, shows, concerts, events, activities that use loud speakers and other similar entertainment activities within the 300-meter radius of the parade route from Jan. 19 to 21. There will also be a liquor ban within the 300 meter radius of the parade route on Jan. 21 and Capitol to Gorordo along Escario St. on Jan. 22.
“Sinulog bookings in the city are running 60 to 70 percent this week and fully booked for the Sinulog weekend,” said Suarez.
City officials said these regulations are meant to maintain peace and order, promote the comfort and convenience of Cebuanos and uphold the sanctity of the Sinulog Festival.
These policies, according to Suarez, will not dampen tourists from all over the country to come to Cebu and celebrate Sinulog.
With or without stricter policies, city hotels will be mounting activities to ensure their guests have an exciting and memorable Sinulog this year.
“Quest is fully booked for Sinulog weekend,” said Mia Sy, public relations and marketing and communications manager at Quest Hotel.
At the hotel lobby, Sy said guests will be entertained by Sinulog dance and drumbeaters in the morning and afternoon of Saturday and Sunday. They will also be provided with Sinulog survival kits.
To feel the Sinulog vibe, the hotel also set up a photo booth at the lobby where guests can take photos of themselves wearing Sinulog headdresses. Images of Cebu and Sinulog photos by the Photographer’s Club of Cebu are likewise exhibited at the hotel lobby.
Newly-renovated NS Royal Hotel, located along Juana Osmeña St., one of the party capitals during Sinulog, also reported high occupancy this Sinulog weekend.
Joshua Thad Carlos Dizon, the hotel’s chief operating officer, said that as early as the first week of January, they’ve already received many bookings for Sinulog. The 38-room boutique hotel is now fully booked for the weekend.
Room bookings at Watefront Cebu City Hotel and Casino is now running at 90 to 95 percent for this week. Besides the usual Sinulog dance presentation, the hotel, according to its hotel’s marketing communications manager Arnel Aparis, has set up a Fashion meets Sinulog booth, a collaboration between Cebu designer Cary Santiago and Islands Souvenirs.
Other major hotels promised to treat guests to a variety of Filipino dishes.
Marco Polo Plaza and Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, which are fully booked this weekend, will offer guests Cebu food favorites and a range of local flavors to celebrate Sinulog at their Cafe Marco and Feria restaurants, respectively.
Meanwhile, tourists, devotees, and balikbayans are also in for a treat the moment they arrive at Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) as GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) will host the “Sinulog ala Mactan” with week-long activities and promos.
The “Sinulog ala Mactan” will feature daily Sinulog performances, giveaways to passengers, and a dance competition.
Aside from the dances and competition, GMCAC will distribute Sinulog Fun Kits to arriving passengers. The fun kits contain whistles, Sinulog headdress and shirt, sunscreen, and other treats.
MCIA said it is ready to welcome the arrival of balikbayans coming home to Cebu for the Sinulog Festival. About 500 Cebuano balikbayans are expected to arrive from the US for the Balik Cebu scheduled activities.
The Balik Cebu’s airport welcome program is scheduled on Jan. 18.