Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat has vowed to probe all hotels and inns that reportedly evicted stranded foreign tourists during Luzon’s enhanced community quarantine when domestic flights are limited.
“It is regrettable that these incidents are being reported even after we released our implementing rules and regulations for hotels during the community quarantine. Our regional offices are in coordination with LGUs (local government units) and embassies in the Philippines,” Romulo-Puyat said.
The tourism chief noted that the DOT, together with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), will investigate concerned hotels and “file legal actions, if necessary”.
“Foreign tourists are being kicked out of hotels once their bookings end.”
During a meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., European Union Delegation to the Philippines Chargé d’affaires Thomas Wiersing reported that foreign tourists are being kicked out of hotels once their bookings end, “even if they fail to book domestic flights out.”
The tourism head clarified that foreign tourists can extend their stay in a hotel as long as they have an existing booking.
“Rest assured, we will be helping all stranded tourists find temporary accommodation.”
“Rest assured, we will be helping all stranded tourists find temporary accommodation until they are able to find outgoing flights back to their countries,” she said.
Meanwhile, Romulo-Puyat appealed to all hotel and resort owners to “not to take advantage” of the COVID-19 situation by overcharging their guests.
Since the community quarantine has been imposed, the DOT has been arranging sweeper flights in coordination with the DFA and the Department of Transportation.