Tagaytay hotel accepts leisure bookings from NCR Plus

MANILA, Philippines — Taal Vista Hotel is now accepting leisure bookings from guests traveling from the National Capital Region and nearby provinces, collectively known as NCR Plus.

Taal Vista cluster marketing and communications manager Jennifer Bagus said yesterday the hotel, known for its view of the smallest volcano in the Philippines, reopened its lake wing for short-term stays and its mountain wing for weekend trips.

Bagus told The STAR the hotel operates at 50 percent capacity, or 131 rooms, to comply with the accommodation guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

Bagus said Taal Vista also reopened its dining options in Veranda Cafe and Taza Fresh Table. A total of 290 seats in outdoor areas are available for guests of the hotel in line with the 50 percent cap on al fresco dining.

Veranda Cafe prepares Filipino cuisine and international dishes on Fridays and serves a buffet on weekends, while Taza Fresh Table offers Mediterranean food and steak meals. Both restaurants welcome diners from Friday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To encourage bookings, Taal Vista grants a 25-percent discount on room accommodation for two persons, including breakfast.

In Metro Manila, close to 6,000 rooms in 13 premium hotels were reopened for leisure bookings as part of efforts to resume travel activities in the region.

With the shift to general community quarantine with heightened restrictions, specialized markets for tourism are authorized to resume operations for as long as they comply with minimum health standards.

Likewise, outdoor attractions may now reopen to visitors at 30 percent capacity. Restaurants are also allowed to receive indoor dining at 20 percent capacity, while al fresco options may operate at 50 percent capacity.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat reminded both workers and guests to comply with health and safety measures applied by authorities. She said IATF rules should be adhered to for tourism in NCR Plus to recover.

Hotels in NCR Plus, such as Taal Vista, may only take in visitors coming from Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.

Guests must be aged between 18 and 65 years to gain entry into the establishments.