MANILA – The Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) on Saturday welcomed the government's decision to allow social events and meetings, saying this would allow some displaced tourism workers to return to their jobs.
The decision came a week after the HSMA submitted a position paper, including proposed guidelines on doing MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) and social events both for staycation and quarantine hotels.
"The HSMA position to DOT is for all hotels to be allowed to accommodate MICE and social events," it said in a statement.
"Accepting social and MICE events is a good start and will definitely bring back a good amount of revenues for us which in effect will give more jobs for our hotel teams," it added.
The HSMA is now coordinating with the Department of Tourism as it awaits the implementing guidelines it would release.
"We are closely coordinating with DOT and only upon receipt of these guidelines that we can determine our implementation plans across all member hotels. All member hotels will be advised to follow the guidelines consistently," it said.
The Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) issued Resolution No. 99 on Feb. 12, which allowed the expansion of MICE and limited social events at accredited DOT establishments.
It also approved the reopening of libraries, archives, museums, cultural centers, and limited tourist attractions such as parks, natural sites, and historical landmarks. (PNA)
