Philippine Daily Inquirer Digital Edition

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To help revive tourism by restoring travel confidence among Filipinos, the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) is bringing back September Online Sale (SOS), an online sale of hotel vacation and food and beverage packages.

Eighty of the country’s top hotel and resort chains and brands are taking part in this year’s SOS, with discounts of up to 70 percent. Running from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, packages are sold in e-vouchers with a one-year validity, and may be extended upon request.

The inaugural SOS held last year was one of HSMA’s many projects which sold almost 2,000 vouchers, and brought in much-needed revenues to preserve millions of jobs in the tourism sector. The sale netted P14 million bookings and the group hopes to double the receipts this year.

HSMA president and Bayleaf Hotels area director of sales and marketing Benjie Martinez said that the group has planned a month-long travel mart which includes hotel ancillary services such as restaurants, bars,

banquet packages, spa, gym, pool, and other

leisure facilities.

“This is our chance to extend a helping hand to the travel sector, so that they may regain their footing and continue serving the Filipino people through essential quarantine accommodations and leisure services. This is also a kind of victory over the pandemic, that we are seizing the opportunity to rediscover and reconnect with the beauty of our country,” adds HSMA board chair Margie Munsayac, vice president for sales and marketing of Bluewater Resorts.

HSMA is the oldest and leading organization of sales and marketing professionals in

the hospitality industry, which is at the forefront in rebooting the tourism sector.

Available at the SOS sale are more than a hundred packages and up to 70-percent off in discounts from key destinations such as Boracay, Iloilo, Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, Davao, Baguio, Clark, Ilocos, Laguna, Bataan, and Cavite.

Moreover, star-rated hotels in Metro Manila are offering urban sanctuaries in the heart of the city for a quick getaway.

Among the irresistible packages include early check-in and late check-out for guests

without extra charge, and buy-one, get-one

room offers with breakfast and complimentary pool use.

In line with the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) “Have a Safe Trip, Pinas,” campaign, SOS hopes to contribute to local tourism recovery by boosting public confidence for travel.

The SOS is presented in partnership with the DOT, Tourism Promotions Board, Atlantis, Isentia, and Cebu Pacific as official carrier. For the list of participating establishments and their offerings, visit www.hsma.org.ph/sos.

TOURS, LEISURE & CHOW

en-ph

2021-09-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-09-18T07:00:00.0000000Z

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Philippine Daily Inquirer