Manila-based hotels face a “happy problem” nowadays. Almost all hotels near Rizal (Luneta) Park, from three-star to five-star hotels, are almost if not already fully booked during the visit of Pope Francis in Manila.
People who want to have a glimpse of Pope Francis during his Apostolic Visit to the Philippines on Jan. 15 to 19 started booking their accommodations as far back as October 2014.
The government has declared Jan. 15, 16 and 19 as national holiday, but authorities anticipate heavy traffic in the Manila area during Pope Francis’ visit because of the huge crowd attending the concluding mass at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park. The faithful are also eager to witness Pope Francis’ motorcade to the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros.
So instead of braving the traffic, people opted to book hotel rooms near the area so they can just walk to Luneta or Intramuros to be part of the historic papal visit.