Mall operators like SM Prime Holdings Inc and Ayala Land Inc to more upscale retailers like SSI Group Inc will participate in the sale, which was announced a year ago and is part of the government’s six-year tourism roadmap.

The Philippines’ promotion comes as retail sales across Asia are weighed down by a coronavirus scare that curbed tourism and kept shoppers inside their home.

Sales in SM Prime’s Philippine malls fell as much as 20% in the first few weeks of the virus while sales in its 7 malls in China were cut by half, ABS-CBN News Channel said on Feb 14.

The government is also banking on domestic tourism to help offset what appears to be a sharp decline in international travelers, based on data from the Manila International Airport Authority.

Private consumption accounts for about 74% of the economy, while tourism makes up about 12%.

Travelers grounded

Flights to and from Manila’s airport fell 22% after the Southeast Asian nation imposed a travel ban on places hit by the virus.

International travelers saw a 16.7% year-on-year drop to 1.35 million in the Jan 25 to Feb 17 period, according to data. Domestic travelers declined 3.4% to 1.4 million.

Cebu Air Inc, the Philippines’ largest budget carrier, slashed its base fare to as low as US$1.74 for over 70 local destinations to spur domestic tourism, it said in a Wednesday statement.

It also increased seats by nearly half on key routes between Manila and popular tourist spots including Cebu, Davao and Palawan provinces.

“It’s a lost opportunity but at the end of the day, there is time to recover,” Manila airport chief Eddie Monreal said in a press briefing on Wednesday. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to recover soon.”