ILOILO City – Fear on the possible spread of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has not affected hotels, resorts and restaurants here.
It is business as usual, according to Happy Abenir, spokesperson of the Iloilo Hotels Restaurants and Resorts Association (IHRAA).
“The cancellation (of bookings by foreign guests) is minimal,” said Abenir. “Hindi ganun kalaki compared to Boracay.”
Iloilo hotels, resorts and restaurants are not dependent on foreign tourists unlike their counterparts in Boracay and even Cebu, Abenir explained.
IHRRA has “75 to 78” member establishments, Abenir added.
“Iloilo has something for everybody. People come here not only for tourism but for business. This is one of the successes of the local tourism program,” said Abenir.
She attributed the booking cancellations – which she estimated to be less than 10 percent – to cancelled flights after the Philippine government on Feb. 2 expanded its temporary travel ban on the whole of China and its territories.
The ban earlier covered only those traveling from China’s Hubei province where the epicenter of the virus outbreak, Wuhan City, is located. Now, the travel ban covers all foreigners arriving from China, Hong Kong and Macau, including those who visited these areas.
Abenir also said IHRRA has been closely coordinating with various government agencies vis-à-vis preparations on the COVID-19.
Members recently attended meetings with the Department of Health (DOH) and city government and discussed protocols on how to handle suspected COVID-19 cases.
Establishments with guests showing signs and symptoms of the new coronavirus must immediately alert DOH or the City Health Office, said Abenir./PN
