[ad_1]
SOON TO CLOSE. Marco Polo Davao will cease operations on June 15, 2020. Photo from Marco Polo Davao’s Facebook page
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – It’s official: The only 5-star hotel in Davao City founded by the family of the Secretary of Finance, Carlos Domínguez III, has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic and will only work until June 15 .
In a statement shared with reporters here, Marco Polo Davao’s management said their priority in deciding to close the store indefinitely is “to take care of our associates while the company can.”
“You have all been the nucleus and our partners in the construction of Marco Polo Davao. Owners and management will always be grateful for your unconditional contribution. To all of our community friends and valuable business partners, Daghang Salamat (thank you very much) from the Heart of Davao ”, he added.
In a subsequent interview with the local newspaper, The Mindanao TimesHalifax President Francis R. Ledesma said the hotel, built in 1998, still caters to guests at this time, including foreigners stranded in the city and business process outsourcing (BPO).
But Ledesma said Marco Polo would not be able to sustain its operations once these clients leave.
“Living in a hotel (for BPO employees) is a huge expense for the company,” the local newspaper said, as quoted by the local newspaper.
He said that in the case of BPOs, they were only forced to house their employees in hotels as required by quarantine protocols.
Ledesma said that all hotel employees had been informed on Thursday, May 7, and that they had also been told that they would get their benefits.
Those at “retirement ages” will receive retirement packages, while others will receive separation benefits.
“We choose to take care of our people first,” he added.
Ledesma was also quoted as saying the hotel could still reopen and rehire its employees, but said he was not sure when.
“We will not know what will happen next. You cannot beat a pandemic, “he added.
John Tria, president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the tourism industry had been badly affected by the pandemic and consequently the 5 million people who depended on it.
“I fully understand why the Marco Polo hotel has opted for an indefinite cease of operations as there is a need to re-examine operations in light of the obvious realities,” it said in a statement.
Tria said it could take longer for the tourism industry to recover even after quarantines are lifted “since people may not want to travel or congregate in groups for some time.”
However, as a chamber, we are working closely with various stakeholders in tourism through our tourism working group to determine ways of recovery, such as special funding and other programs, and innovations that will require adjustments to the models. business online marketing and other methods, “he added. – Rappler.com
[ad_2]
