BLUEWATER Resorts are blessed to have a land area of 8 hectares in Maribago, 24 hectares in Sumilon and 6 hectares in Panglao, so physical distancing of guests under the new normal is not a problem.
In its property in Sumilon, near Oslob, Cebu, villas do not share a common wall. For the adventurous type, Bluwater Sumilon also offers “glamorous” tents by the beach.
In Panglao and Maribago, guests have the option to choose between stand-alone private villas or spacious hotel rooms.
Margie Munsayac, vice president for sales and marketing at Bluewater Resorts, added that the resort ensured the provision of basic health protocols as well as the safety of guests and employees.
It introduced new operating procedures of cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting of the resort; provided personal protective equipment to frontline workers; installed acrylic barriers in the reception area and buffet tables; set up wash basins at the resort entrance; and implemented contactless transactions.
The resort likewise developed and rolled out BlueCares, its playbook for health and safety protocols.
Munsayac said the organization’s business continuity plan plays the biggest role in facing challenges during turbulent times.
“Though this pandemic threw us off course at the start, remaining afloat was actually made possible due to that plan we had in place,” she said.
Wellness and sustainability have always been in part of the resort’s strategies even before the pandemic, she added.
With the new normal, many are raring to travel as they need it for their sanity. “A change of scenery, a breath of fresh air, open spaces are and will be the major reasons for travel,” Munsayac pointed out.
There will be new trends and more travelers will fly out to visit families and loved ones, she stressed. “Our resorts are very ready to provide what most of them will be looking for when travel is possible,” she said.
According to Munsayac, tourism stakeholders are optimistic that the sector will eventually recover and bounce back.
With the continuing rollout of the vaccination and education of basic health protocols, “we are hopeful that we will see some positive indication by the last quarter of this year,” she said.
Although it will be a slow, long recovery for the industry, she said baby steps will be taken, as she anticipates that borders will slowly open by next year, and full recovery may happen in two to three years.
Stakeholders in the hospitality industry have been preparing their digital road maps even pre-pandemic. However, the ongoing global public health crisis has pushed most of them to start implementing these to address today’s challenges.
“We have activated most of our digitalization, with more features that will surface in the future,” Munsayac said.
Personal interaction with guests still plays a big factor in ensuring that the resort is able to continuously provide the experience it has committed to.
“Nothing can take the place of our Filipino brand of hospitality, which we strongly practice in our resort,” she shared. “Guests will always feel confident to book and stay with the resort.”
Before the pandemic struck, the resorts in Maribago, Sumilon and Panglao were running at 60 to 90 percent occupancy.
Because of lockdowns, occupancy dived by 80 percent and room revenues consequently plunged.
With alternative market segments during the first six months of the lockdown, the resorts had to tap on the long-staying business process outsourcing and returning overseas Filipino workers, particularly the seafarers.
Outlets were barely used since these market segments are on quarantine and meals are delivered to the rooms.
When restrictions were eased, the resorts were able to cater to the local leisure market and the open outlets started to service guests up to 50 percent capacity.
Food and beverage revenue was supplemented with very limited, more intimate social events that resorts are able to cater though this time.
