CEBU, Philippines — In a bid to make travel to Cebu easier and convenient, the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association (HRRAC) has partnered with an insurance firm and an RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) provider to ease travel requirements.
HRRAC president Alfred Reyes said in a press conference that this partnership will allow HRRAC member properties to offer the travel pre-requisites such as travel insurance and RT-PCR tests.
The travel insurance is needed upon entering a destination, and the RT-PCR is a requirement needed upon leaving a destination. With HRRAC’s partnership with Prime Care Alpha Covid-19 Testing Laboratory for the RT-PCR test, testing can be performed in their respective hotels.
For travel insurance, HRRAC inked a deal with PhilInsure and Pacific Cross to incorporate insurance options upon booking with any member property.
Because of this move, Reyes said HRRAC has now become a one-stop shop for travelers to make travel to Cebu seamless and accessible.
“We intend to implement these initiatives on April 1, 2022,” Reyes revealed.
All this, and other initiative are being prepared as Cebu readies for the influx of foreign tourists starting April 1, as the Philippines moves up to opening its borders to the international travelers.
This early, Reyes said Cebu has noted an improving occupancy rate, bolstered by the active domestic business travelers. Gradually, foreign tourists are coming in, resulting to an average of 30 percent to 40 percent.
The easing of travel restrictions and the reopening of the country’s borders to foreign leisure travelers from visa-free countries on Feb. 10, 2022 also pushes the hotel occupancy up.
Reyes expects occupancy rate to climb some more after April 1, towards the summer season, and the opening of borders to international passengers.
“It is getting better now, a lot better,” Reyes said also owing the tourism improvement to Airlines which are constantly adding and opening flights, both domestic and international routes.