Espana Hotel

1. Will the Espana Hotel going to adhere to the impact of techno change?

Technically yes, Espana Hotel should adhere to the impact of technological change. To
meet the challenge of growing customer expectations, a hotel should be more competitive with
the use of technology. In any industry, innovation enables an industry to stand out from the
competition. A hotel can use technology to improve efficiency and with this, it will really ensure
positive customer experiences. Through this, positive experience of guest will not only impact a
guest's stay in hotel but also influences their behaviour in online reviews. Regardless of all
marketing strategies, a guest's genuine satisfaction and recommendation remains the most
powerful. There is no doubt that technology plays a huge role in shaping hotel industry, but there
is one thing it can never replace and so hotel operators must never forget to still provide positive
human interaction.

2. Should they or should they not change their concept from a heritage accommodation to a
modern brand?

Even the fact that Espana Hotel is a well known heritage accommodation, yet they should
adapt the concept of more modern brand. Adapting changes will compete competitively and also
will help the business to complete the transaction quickly and efficiently from the comfort of
their own office or living room. It will benefit the hotel in all aspect of their booking system.
First of all, there will be less work for the front office and it allows receptionist to have more
time to do other tasks. It also reduced chances of losing because if something goes wrong due to
customer mistake, the hotel manager can easily prove that it is the customer's liability because
they have the data. Otherwise, the hotel can still provide solution beforehand. Apparently, a more
modern brand of hotel is a helping hand to keep Espana Hotel on top of industry and for sure
because they adapt changes, everything will run smoothly.
3. Do you think that there are guarantee of sales if they also join the mainstream of the
competition?

Of course yes, there is a guarantee of sales if Espana Hotel will also join the mainstream of
the competition to think that they will be able to cope up with technological changes. Through
this mainstream, businesses stay innovative and think about new ideas on how to attract
customers. Meaning, Espana Hotel will be more competitive than the usual. They will monitor
their competitors to come up with better ideas thus, if other hotels can guarantee their sales what
more the Espana Hotel if some part of its business plan will be based on the the activity of their
competitors that would really be a downfall to their rivals. Specially, focusing on what makes the
hotel special and emphasize it in marketing to create a point of difference for potential guest will
certainly be profitable. Espana Hotel, being part of the mainstream, should not only think
competitors but also the feedback of guests because they might give the management indication
to improve the hotel services. In that way, Espana Hotel will be one step ahead of their
competitors. In any industry, there is always a competition to push everyone to be more creative
as they can. The concept is to remain competitive for the growth of an industry.

ASEAN APT

What will be the tourism effects after the COVID-19 case to each country?

Due to COVID-19 there is no demand for any tourism service within the country and
outside. Literally, there will be an economic crisis after this pandemic. As the world facing crisis
in terms of global health, social, and economic activities, travel and tourism industry is among
the most affected sectors. In response to the pandemic, 100% of worldwide destinations have
introduced travel restrictions, 67 million fewer international tourist arrivals, and 80 US$ billion
lost in exports according to UNWTO (World Tourism Organization). The WTO also summarizes
the potential impacts of COVID-19 in three scenarios; 850 million to 1.1 billion fewer
international tourist arrivals, US$ 90 billion to US$ 1.2 trillion loss in export revenues from
tourism, and 100 to 120 million direct tourism jobs at risk. Workers in tourism sector are most at
risk. There is an assumption that employment in accommodation and food service is at high risk
after this pandemic crisis. To strengthen again the tourism industry, cooperation is the key.
International cooperation is significant to ensure the containment of COVID-19. The tourism
sector must be fully committed to putting people and their well-being first so that they can
effectively contribute. At this challenging time, no country should make believe that their travel
destination is COVID-19 free just for the sake of reopening the tourism industry of their country
because that would just make the pandemic worst. Even the Economy will go down, everyone
should put health first before anything else because health is wealth. There is a problem that
every leader in the world should solve morally. It is "What should the government prioritize first,
public health over economic stability or vice versa?". The good leader must think health first
because prioritizing health may ultimately be the logical economic choice. While health and
economy are being controversial among medical doctors and economists when it comes to
quantifying trade-offs, this should not be a battle between them but a partnership among them.
Meanwhile, the Philippines in this pandemic should conduct mass testing because the welfare of
every Filipinos should be taken as the most important among all other issues. Given the fact that
this country is one of the third world country, the Philippine Government must provide all the
needs of every Filipinos in all aspect. In that way, no Filipino will left behind in this trying times.
Every country in this current situation must conduct an all-out plan to fight COVID-19 and
alleviate its impact to the public health.

Do you think APT should issue another joint memorandum re the said concern?

No, it is not essential. On April 14, 2020, they tackled all important things through their
joint statement. They discussed completely and coherently all things about the pandemic so there
is no need to release another joint memorandum. According to their joint statement, they are
united and working together with the World Health Organization (WHO). To stop the spread of
virus, they act collectively and innovatively. Recognizing the severity of COVID-19 they express
their condolences, sympathies to the families who lost lives, and showing all the respect and
deepest gratitude towards health workers and all front liners who have always been working
tirelessly to flatten the curve and to save lives. The most important part is their reaffirmation
towards their commitments to encourage necessary interconnectedness and minimize socio-
economic impacts of COVID-19. They are focusing on exerting their full effort to create a post-
pandemic recovery plan easier through providing active economic developments, financial
resilience, revitalize economic growth, connectivity and tourism which will take longer time to
achieve. They are also preventing economic recession by keeping the market stable that is open
for trade and investment speacially the essential goods this time of crisis. They are also up to
supporting medical needs for the public health. It may not be all but it would help a lot for the
time being. Every leaders should think better ways to cope up with this pandemic and they are
expected to think their cintizen's welfare more than the state of economy. Health of the people is
all that matters over anything.

Will there be compromises/adjustments as to the visa/no visa requirements of each country?

What about the Philippines?

Due to this pandemic, each country may come up with the ideas of online based
transactions as for the adjustment/compromises to the visa/no visa requirements. Regarding to
Philippines compromises/adjustment to the visa/no visa requirements, the Department of Foreign
Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) released guidelines that shall be followed in all DFA's
COs. According to Department of Foreign Affairs they will be resuming operations for some of
its Consular Offices on May 04 2020, and the rest will follow after the end of the Enhanced
Community Quarantine (ECQ). They have three main points regarding to the guidelines for all
applications. Thd DFA used the technological advancement and made the application easy and
convenient. The first point is scheduling of appointment via e-mail whereas all applications for
consular services, including those to be cursed through the courtesy lane as well as the
Diplomatic and Official Passports section, are to be made by appointment via email, unless
otherwise indicated. Once email is sent, instruy shall be given on how to proceed with the
application. To avoid physical contacting they were able to come up with this idea. Their second
point is observing physical distancing measures whereas they are encouraging all applicants to
avail online payments for consular services while for those who are not able to pay online the
payment process at the consular offices shall likewise follow strict physical distancing measure.
They are up to minimizing the risk of infection in all possible ways. Their third point is
preventing the spread of the virus and other illnesses whereas they are encouraging applicants to
follow protocols regarding the Enhanced Community Quarantine. All about precautionary
measure are strictly implemented. Even after lifting ECQ I think, we should not accept tourists
because COVID-19 is really dangerous and we are not sure that we are really free from the virus
instead we should be free from the pandemic first before any tourist activities. To be able to get
back again, we must cooperate to contain and delay of COVID-19. However, government must
think first how to be free from this pandemic before its too late.

Nourriture Restaurant

What is the effect of inflation re the dollar exchange rate? Explain.

When there is a depreciation in the exchange rate, it is likely to cause inflation to increase
which means import prices are more expensive while exports are more competitive. Basically,
the impact of inflation is on the time value of money, we can not get away with the inflation
because as population goes up thus the needs and wants of the people are unlimited while the
resources are limited. It effectively decreases the number of goods and services you can have
with a decreasing purchasing power of peso against dollar. Increasing rate of inflation in the
Philippines compared to France will tend to reduce the purchasing power of peso. In the case of
Nourriture, all of their ingredients and raw materials are being imported from France whereas the
most possible effect of inflation regarding to dollar exchange rate is there will be an increase in
the costs for their business. For this reason, the investment of the restaurant will go higher and
they will experience losses. Since inflation is occurring the possible action they will do is to rise
the price of the food in the menu to cover their expenses and also to prevent their business from
bankruptcy. But since Nourriture is a French Cuisine in BGC, the possible customers of the
restaurant are those in the upper class so there is no need to worry when it comes to an increase
in the price in the menu because customers will continue to buy until they satisfied their selves
from eating delicious and authentic food. Also in that area the demand for luxury is high so
restaurants there is highly appreciated. From the view of Economics, luxuries are inelastic just
like the demand for luxury goods of upper class people so even the price gets higher and higher
they will continue to buy it. Above all, exchanging a peso to dollar to import goods for the sake
of the product is worthy to risk.
Do you think Nourriture should change menu and apportioning of their food with the crisis?
Why or Why not?

Inflation is everywhere and it is already part of the economy. However businesses

involve taking risks to be successful. If a businessman do not embrace risk-taking, he should
rethink being a business owner. I don't think Nourriture should change menu and apportion their
food with this crisis because the customers may feel a little bit strange towards the changes. Even
there is inflation, restaurants like Nourriture should provide a quality and authentic food because
if they can not maintain what they have given in the first place they should have change business
at all. Given the fact that their restaurant is branded as French restaurant they should provide
authentic French cuisines. If they want to have higher profit even at a not so lower cost they
should adjust the prices of the food even more. In that way, they can maximize their profit. Since
most people tend to avoid risk, those who are brave enough to take risks already have
competitive advantage like Nourriture. There is a concept of a first-mover advantage, which is
when most individuals stay away from risk that means less competition for risk-takers. As long
as businessman understand and believe the potential return, he can rest assured it is a worthwhile
risk. Aside from all these possible risk, they have their French Executive Chef that would really
help a lot the business to stand out and also would make a big impact on the quality of their food
and services. The Nourriture may face financial risk due to higher operational cost, but if they
are able to adjust the price of their food then there is no way of having a failed business.
Furthermore, it is already proven that countless of businesses that have taken risks to get their
businesses to where they are now. Successful business takes not only the ideas but also the
courage to handle all the possible problems that the business may encounter.

Worst scenario, is the market of Nourriture affected with inflation? Do you think they need to
continue with the business?

Inflation plays a vital role in business owners as well as individuals. Therefore, the
market of Nourriture is truly affected with the inflation. We can assume that the overall costs for
running the restaurant is constantly increasing. Even so, I think they really to continue with their
business. That is why, it is important for Nourriture to understand that when they fail to adjust
the prices to reflect trends in inflation, they have efficiently lowered them. In time of inflation
crisis Nourriture should keep in their mind that they should keep controlling the price and
maintain mark up over the increased costs they are paying to the suppliers because if not, there
are consequences that are unavoidable. These are profit will be eroded and the ability of the
business to attract and pay quality employees will suffer and the overall health of the business
will face downturns. According to Dan Rowe, a CEO, Fransmart, YPO Chief Executive, there
are secrets to maximize profit in the face of inflation; utilize group purchasing power and other
supply chain tactics to drive down food cost, promote quality limit-time offers with high
margins, drive profitability through menu innovation, evaluate labor costs and focus on right
operational controls, increase prices year-to-year to keep up with the inflation, and lastly
remember that the value is in the plate, not the price. In that ways, Nourriture can still survive if
they are able to accomplish all the given tactics even in time of inflation crisis.