Domestic tourism driving hotel occupancy

Occupancy rates in some hotels are exceeding pre-pandemic levels due to pent-up demand as well as “strong domestic tourism” in the country, a hotel sales and marketing group said.

In an interview this week, Hotel Sales and Management Association (HSMA) president Loleth So said occupancy has already reached 80 percent in January 2023, up from 60 to 70 percent in the same period prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Based on our January numbers, we’ve already gone over pre-pandemic levels so that’s how positive it’s looking at the moment,” she told reporters, referring to hotel occupancy, average daily rate, and revenues.

“Domestic tourism is very strong right now. Although inbound, I would say is starting to come in, but it’s not as strong as pre-pandemic levels but we’re hopeful. So really, the opportunity right now is domestic tourism,” So said.

She also attributed the growth to the increased use of online booking platforms during the pandemic.

“It evolved so much that I think that’s the good side of the pandemic because people started to look at other ways in terms of booking channels,” she added.

So agreed on the importance of collaboration and participation of all the tourism stakeholders to speed up the industry’s recovery.

Travelers can also look forward to the September Online Sale (SOS) which was initially established as a response to the impact of the pandemic on travel and tourism in 2020.

“This year, SOS will be bigger, because we are opening that up to tour operators and airlines,” So said.

The HSMA has over 150 members and is the premier organization of hotel sales and marketing leaders in the Philippines. (PNA)

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