MANILA – The holding of the annual Virtus Awards that recognizes the best among hotel marketing professionals across the country will proceed amid the pandemic to prove the industry’s “pandemic-proof” resilience, according to the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA).
As the Philippine hotel sector continues to reel from the effects of the Covid-19 outbreak, the group added new citations in this year’s Virtus edition -- the Champions of Resilience Awards.
Two winners would be chosen for the resilience awards for “extraordinary efforts” to address the market difficulties, especially during the 2020 global health crisis that devastated the tourism sector.
”It is a timely reminder of the determination, innovation, and commitment of hotel sales and marketing professionals across the country who have been working extremely hard to reopen, to welcome guests back safely, and to continue to provide excellent service,” according to a statement from the HSMA.
Submission of nomination is due on October 31, with the judges set to decide the winners on November 14.
For the individual and institutional awards, only marketing campaigns or achievements from April 2019 to March 2020 would be considered for the Virtus Awards.
The resilience awards, meanwhile, would consider all marketing campaigns, programs, and activities launched from Mar. 23, 2020 to Oct. 16, 2020.
"Anyone can imagine that it was easy to give in to despair and frustration when travel had stopped, governments imposed quarantines, new standards of hygiene and customer care were imposed, and no cure was in sight. But thankfully, sales and marketing people are endowed with an indomitable spirit,” Rose Libongco, chair of the Virtus Awards, said during a media forum on Thursday.
“When down and out, Sales & Marketing get up and roll in, when pushed against a wall, they break the wall; when down in the dumps, they dig for the gold. Sales and Marketing continue to be the lifeblood for the company -always working, thinking, creating, never giving up,” she added.
Winners would be announced during the live presentation of the 6th Virtus Awards on December 7.
"We enjoin everyone to look long and hard, to choose your entries, and ensure you do not overlook anyone. At no other time in our history is it more fitting to recognize outstanding performance and contribution under trying circumstances,” Libongco says.
The 6th Virtus Awards is spearheaded by HSMA, in partnership with the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines. (PNA)
