Hotels, resorts offer ‘SOS’ promo

CEBU – Dozens hotels and resorts from across the Philippines are participating in this year’s SOS or the “September Online Sale, according to the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA).

“The September Online Sale is back this 2023 with its biggest edition ever - a month-long event that invites travelers across the Philippines to fall in love with the country’s beautiful destinations once more” the organizer said.

It said at least 87 hotels and resorts and thee major travel agencies are participating in the event which is supported by the Department of Tourism, the Tourism Promotions Board, Atlantis and Isentia.

“Wala nang mga limits when it comes to restrictions, travel, etc. Bukas na, so technically speaking, ang chances of them (hotels and resorts) being able to sell will really be very good,” HSMA president Loleth So said, adding the SOS was formed during the pandemic to help the hospitality sector stay afloat.

In 2020, it recorded P14.1 million in sales after selling 1,752 vouchers of hotel rooms and food packages, which doubled the following year to P29.6 million.

The HSMA said it targets to surpass last year’s sales, which generated P36.8 million worth of vouchers. The sale will be categorized into clusters depending on the area, which includes Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, National Capital Region, Clark, Baguio, Boracay, and other destinations.

The SOS will offer up to 70% on hotel stays, food and beverage promos, banquet deals, and other hospitality offerings, among others. “(The state of the hospitality sector) is getting better. We all know for a fact that we are already approaching the high season. I can speak for Manila hotels and Manila hotels are doing very well,” So said.

She disclosed that hotels in Manila were already breaching figures before the pandemic in 2019. So said some destinations are still recovering, but some are already over with the pandemic.

“An example is Bohol. Bohol is doing very well now as compared to pre-pandemic. Cebu is also doing very well. Iba’t iba, but generically, I can say the hospitality industry is breathing better now. We’re very hopeful that the approaching festive season is going to be even better than the previous,” So said. (Joyce Ann Rocamora)