Iloilo suffers P1B in tourism losses due to COVID-19

The tourism industry of Iloilo province is hugely affected by the crisis caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., tourism losses have already reached P1 billion due to travel restrictions and other measures implemented to contain the spread of the disease.

He noted that tourist arrivals in the province dropped by almost 100 percent in the months of March and April this year.

The province has been placed under community quarantine since March 15. 

To help the tourism industry amid the crisis, the provincial government is coordinating with the Department of Tourism (DOT), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Department of Health(DOH) for the use of hotels and resorts as temporary shelters for repatriated Ilonggo workers.

Defensor said most hotels in Iloilo are empty because of lockdowns. “Pwede ni sila maarkilahan sang gobyerno para makabulig kita sa ila.”

On Thursday, April 23, the DOT said five hotels in Iloilo City are “willing” to provide rooms for the repatriated workers. These hotels are Goldberry Hotel, GT Hotel (De Leon), GT Hotel (Jaro), Injap Tower Hotel, and Urban Inn.IMT

Photo of Garin Farm in San Joaquin town by Leo Soldin Solodin