The Department of Tourism (DOT) said Sunday (Oct. 25) that it has not received any reports of protocol violations among the "staycation hotels."
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said they are counting on the staycation hotels to continuously adhere to the guidelines and protocols set by the DOT to ensure the safety of their guests.
“No reports,” Puyat said in a text message when asked if they received any reports of protocol violations among the hotels that were given certificate of authority to operate (CAO) for staycation.
She expressed hope that the number of operating star-rated hotels will increase by next month, as Christmas holiday nears.
“It is up to the hotels to apply for staycation,” the DOT chief said.
Almost two weeks ago, Puyat reminded staycation hotels to "make sure that the health and safety of their guests and employees are not compromised.” She had conducted an inspection at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Bonifacio Global City to check whether the health measures are fully implemented in the hotel.
As of October 13, the DOT recorded that there are 10 star-rated hotels that got certificate of authority to operate (CAO) for staycation. The list includes the Grand Hyatt, Makati Shangri-La, Okada, Shangri-La at the Fort, Nobu Hotel COD, Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites, EDSA Shangri-La, Solaire, Hyatt Regency COD and Nuwa COD.
Currently, there are 28 DOT star-rated hotels in Metro Manila, 16 of which are five-star and 12 are four-star.
The DOT earlier decided to amend its guidelines for staycation hotels to include those in general community quarantine (GCQ) areas outside Metro Manila with at least a three-star rating from the DOT.
“To ensure that the staycation quality standards for health and safety protocols are in place, only hotels outside of the National Capital Region with at least a three-star rating from the DOT can accept guests for staycation while hotels in Metro Manila should at least be four-star,” Puyat said.
An administrative order amending the guidelines on the operation of hotels for staycation under GCQ was signed recently.
“Those with underlying medical conditions, or are currently pregnant will not be permitted to enter the accommodation establishment,” Puyat said.
The DOT has required contactless and cashless transactions for taking bookings and payments to promote minimal physical contact between staff and guests. It also required authorized hotels to develop staycation packages that are appropriate for the present market demands and conditions.
The DOT defines staycation as leisure activities involving a minimum of an overnight stay in an accommodation establishment that is not utilized as a mandatory COVID-19 quarantine facility.