Accomodation and dining establishments in Iloilo have focused on attracting local tourists to mitigate the negative impact of the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

“Of course may ara gid impact, may ara gid losses nga ma-incur, but we are concentrating on boosting our local tourism,” Happy Abenir, spokesperson of the Iloilo Hotels Resorts and Restaurants Association (IHRRA), said on Monday, Feb. 15.

“Two weeks ago, our hotels recorded a drop of six to eight percent in the number of bookings,” she added.

As part of its measures to prevent the entry and spread of the new disease, the city government decided to cancel all big events scheduled in the months of February and March this year, inlcluding the Paraw Regatta Festival.

“I hope maintindihan ako sang pumuluyo, waay anay kita sang mga aktibidades nga madamo para sa ini nga bulan sang Pebrero and Marso,” Mayor Jerry Treñas said.

The move is supported by IHHRA. Abenir stressed that the safety of everyone would have to come first.

“But Iloilo is still lucky because we are not greatly affected as other places like Boracay and Cebu which recorded something like 40 percent drop [in occupancy],” Abenir said.

“I believe our hotels here are resilient enough to weather this,” she added.

To encourage local tourists to come and enjoy Iloilo, hotels offer discounts and packages.

“Hopefully they (tourists) would take advantage of these discounts. Siguro we still have our local activities like parties, get togethers, reunions so pwede sila ka stay sa aton hotels,” Abenir said.

“Some of our hotels have also come up with other creative ways to attract local visitors,” she added.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte called on Filipinos to help promote local tourism as tour operators reported at least P10 billion in losses due to a travel ban from and to China where the the deadly disease originated.

“To my fellow Filipinos, I encourage you to travel with me around the Philippines. I assure you that everything is safe in our country, be it an issue of health, be it an issue of law and order and be it an issue of accessibility,” he said in a taped massage.

“Come with me and be my travel companion. I’ll be traveling around the Philippine. Pasyal tayo dito sa atin. Unahin natin ‘yung atin. Mabuhay ang Pilipino. Mabuhay ang turismo ng Pilipinas,” the President added.IMT

Photo of Iloilo Business Park by Venturer Rover Aerial Cinema