Resorts in Bulacan lose P 1 billion

CLOSED The Klir Waterpark Resort in Guiguinto town of Bulacan province is usually fully booked from March to April but is now closed because of the Luzon-wide lockdown. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan, Philippines — The Luzon quarantine shut down more than 200 resorts in Bulacan province that would have earned them P1 billion had operations continued during the Lenten season and summer months.

These establishments have become alternative travel destinations, particularly for families vacationing during the Holy Week break.

They have been absorbing the losses after they submitted to the quarantine to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), said Eliseo dela Cruz, Bulacan tourism officer.

Each of the 60 members of Bulacan Association of Resort Owners (Baro), for example, earns an average of P4 million to P6 million during the peak months, he said.

More losses“All of our corporate and individual bookings were canceled while some were moved to a yet unscheduled day,” said Baro president Ron Cabanjin, owner of Klir Waterpark Resort in Guiguinto town.

The lockdown has affected 10,000 to 15,000 resort employees. An average resort employs up to 50 people during the peak tourist season, but big resorts hire 200 people for the same period.

Cabanjin said resort owners had to brace for more losses since they would continue to spend for the upkeep of their facilities.

“I don’t think we can recover this year. Most likely we need to work overtime for the next two years to recoup our losses,” he said.

“Tourism is all about going to places, meeting new people, experiencing new things, and now that has been prohibited due to social distancing,” said Kenneth dela Cruz, owner of 4K Garden Resort in Sta. Maria town.