Puyat said allowing the accommodation sector to operate at full capacity will be welcomed by tourism’s workforce that has been greatly affected since the community lockdown.
The Department of Tourism has been given the authority by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to determine the allowable operational capacity (up to 100 percent) for hotels, including staycation hotels, in areas classified under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ.
Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, DOT secretary, stressed that the decision to open at 100 percent operational capacity will be subject to the hotel management’s decision and compliance with the safety guidelines.
Puyat explained that the 100 percent operational capacity of hotels “is for the number of employees who can be permitted to physicaly work on site.”
Puyat said allowing the accommodation sector to operate at full capacity will be most welcomed by the tourism workforce which has been greatly affected since the community lockdown.
Puyat, however, stressed that “the decision to open at 100 percent operational capacity will be subject to the hotel management’s decision and compliance with the safety guidelines”.
The announcement comes on the heels of the IATF-EID’s approval of Resolution No. 79 last October 15.
The said resolution replaces the provision that accommodation establishments in areas under GCQ may only operate with a skeleton work force, and now provides that such operations may be governed by the issuance of relevant national agencies such as the DOT.
Puyat said that the DOT shall soon issue the amended guidelines for the expanded operational capacity of hotels including staycation hotels.
DCAOS still needed
Earlier, Puyat directed all hotels and other tourism establishments in areas declared to be under GCQ to secure a DOT Certificate of Authority to Operate for Staycations (DCAOS) prior to accommodating any guests for that purpose.
“Also approved in the said resolution is the easing up of interzonal and intrazonal movement, which is the predicate to reviving domestic tourism. Along with this comes the need to ready the whole tourism value chain, which includes the accommodation, transportation and tour operation sectors. Allowing the accommodation sector to operate at full capacity will be most welcomed by tourism’s workforce that has been greatly affected since the community lockdown,” Puyat said.
Still, the DOT reminds hotels to adhere to the guidelines and protocols to ensure a memorable and safe staycation of guests who hope to take a break from months of quarantine.
“While we all long for a little bit of fun with the family, it is the responsibility of hotel operators to make sure that the health and safety of their guests and employees are not compromised,” said Puyat.
To make every staycation pleasant and safe, Puyat said accommodation establishments are required to develop packages that are appropriate for the present market demands and conditions.
The offerings must strictly adhere to the existing health and safety guidelines and will likewise be monitored by the concerned regional office of the department.
Luxurious retreat
Joy-Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila, armed with its Certificate of Authority to Operate for Staycation, cautiously reopens with the launch of new staycation packages for guests who may want to momentarily take a quarantine break and indulge in a luxury experience to ease their pandemic anxieties.
Located at the Joy Nostalg Center in the heart of Ortigas in Pasig City and just across Asian Development Bank, the hotel is 100 to 500 meters from a variety of shopping malls and entertainment facilities.
Metro Manila guests can enjoy a safe and comfortable staycation with the “Suite Welcome” packages at the Joy-Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila, a deluxe serviced residence with 229 spacious and fully-furnished suites equipped with five-star in-room amenities.
It has the studio executive (P6,800), one bedroom suite (P7,800) and two bedroom suite (P10,800) room types.
The hotel’s maximum number of occupants per room type and negative antigen rapid test result for all guests on day of arrival will be strictly implemented. Only couples or family members who share the same household may be allowed to share rooms.
Included in the offer are breakfast for two, early check-in at 12 p.m. and late check-out at 6 p.m., as well as food and beverage (F&B) credits — P1,500 F&B credits for studio executive room, P2,000 F&B credits for one bedroom suite, and P2,500 F&B credits for two bedroom suite — which must be consumed during stay.
Antoine Weinstein, Joy~Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila general manager, said a whole set of new protocols on safety and hygiene has been put in place.
As part of Accor, Weinstein also said the hotel has fully implemented the ALLSafe protocols and is certified both by Accor and by an independent international hygiene auditor.
“At each touch point along the guest journey through the haven of retreat and comfort, extensive measures are being taken to protect our guests and employees,” he added.
These include enhanced sanitation in the rooms, public area and outlets; physical distancing marks; extensive training of all employees; appointment of an ALLSafe officer; and daily self-audit.
