The boon or bane discussion of long weekends and its positive impact on domestic tourism has been a question stakeholders in our industry have often been asked. People’s stance has been varied in many ways depending on perspective, type of business and, of course, one’s personal preference.
Does it really help boost domestic travel, or does it rather give people enough time for a quick getaway to other Asian destinations? While some take this opportunity to pack their bags for nearby countries, others also use this time to reconnect with family and nature. One that we could hardly do after months and months of just focusing on our daily work.
Others strongly stress that long weekends make people plan to go abroad rather than stay in our country. I personally believe there is nothing wrong with that. We know that traveling in other countries is aspirational for most Filipino families and long weekends announced in the earlier part of the year makes families plan their trips with more cost-efficient airfares and more reasonable rates for accommodations.
For others who also need to do much needed immersion, exposure, shopping and vacation in other countries, the long weekends also can address this.
Despite some travelers being able to do a short trip outside of the Philippines, the extended weekend has allowed Filipinos to take time to go home to their respective provinces. Here in the Philippines the recently held Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections last October 30 not just allowed Filipinos to exercise the right to suffrage but a chance to get involved in the basic unit of government, the small communities we rightfully live in.
At the same time the commemoration of the All-Saints Day and All Souls Day in the Philippines on November 1 and 2, respectively, allowed us to take a pause, switch off from work and remember our dearly departed family members and relatives. A simple reminder of how we are here on a temporary journey, with the afterlife as the real destination. Travel time always gets us to these comely realizations that get us back to our true goals in life.
To be able to do these things, we all pack our bags, whether for a long drive or for a short flight or for a leisurely boat ride. Fill the terminals, shop for goods to take with us as presents or tokens to those we will meet, dine at the restaurants, and stop over at coffee shops. Whether we stay at home, sleep at friends’ or relatives’ places or check in at hotels, we contribute part and parcel to the whole ecosystem of tourism in the country. Yes, all these micro economic activities matter in making tourism survive.
Other than the economic value that these long weekends gain for the industry, the impactful opportunity to allow people to improve overall health and to create work-life balance is priceless. The ability to do things again with loved ones, the freedom to do what makes one happy is precious. A newfound time to reconnect and reflect.
It does mean differently to many people depending on one’s situation. Let me close this by sharing that I had a beautiful encounter with one associate at Kingsford Hotel Manila who was spending the long weekend with her family after more than four years of being apart from them who are in the province. This break meant so much to her. It’s a dream she has had every single time she finishes a call with her children. I can’t imagine the warmth in everyone’s heart given the chance to hug each other again and spend some time together as a family.
Indeed, we all have lenses that see things differently from each other, thus our definition of long weekends and even many other situations vary. But one thing is for sure, we have blessings given us, and long weekends are part of them. Today, I just want to fill my heart with gratitude that I get to write this column with my children’s voices in the background and for every single gift that God has blessed us with.