DOT: Only 15 hotels in Metro Manila accredited for ‘staycation’
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Tuesday reiterated that not all four or five-star accommodation establishments (AEs) in Metro Manila can operate as “staycation hotels.”
According to DOT, only 15 AEs in the nation’s capital region have been authorized to provide accommodation for leisure purposes. Among them are:
- Grand Hyatt Hotel
- Makati Shangri-La Hotel
- Okada Manila Hotel
- Shangri-La at the Fort
- Nobu Hotel
- Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites Manila
- EDSA Shangri-La Manila
- Solaire Resort
- Hyatt Regency City of Dreams
- Nüwa Manila City of Dreams
- The Peninsula Manila
- Aruga by Rockwell
- Sheraton Manila Hotel
- Hilton Manila
- Hotel Okura Manila
DOT explained that other AEs not included in the above-list were either closed or operating as quarantine hotels.
“We would like to correct the misperception that all four- or five-star rated accommodation establishments (AEs) can operate as staycation hotels. For such hotel to accept guests for leisure purposes, it has to apply for a Certificate of Authority to Operate as Staycation (CAOS) hotel,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.
“With the authority is the responsibility to strictly adhere to the minimum health and safety guidelines. One has to pass the rigid inspection to ascertain that measures and systems are put in place and diligently practiced on a daily basis. It cannot, above all things, concurrently operate as a quarantine facility,” she added.
The statement comes after DOT issued a show-cause order against City Garden Grand Hotel in Makati City where 23-year-old Christine Angelica Dacera, a Philippine Airlines flight attendant, was discovered dead in a bathtub of a hotel room after an alleged New Year’s Eve party.
Article continues after this advertisementThe show-cause order was issued for possible community quarantine violation since the establishment was not accredited to operate as a staycation hotel, DOT noted.
“Lives are on the line and our economic recovery depends on everybody being responsible. Let us all perform our duties well. Each has an important role to play in managing this crisis,” Puyat urged.
“The appeal is also aimed at AEs without CAOS and tour operators and other entities that continue to post invitations or make false, deceptive, and misleading claims or statements for the purpose of soliciting business from clients. These non-staycation enterprises have been using social media to carry its ads,” DOT also warned.
According to DOT, AEs and other enterprises may apply for accreditation online through the department’s accreditation portal.
The public was also urged to check and confirm the status of hotel establishments before booking or checking-in. The list of AEs for quarantine purposes can be found in this link.
