Costa Marina's unreasonable fee rule

Few days ago, me and my friend were talking about summer outing and we decided to go to Samal and I usually suggest to go to Costa Marina Resort since I haven't been there before and thinking the place is perfect for relaxation, photoshoot (just for fun for our blog post), enjoyment, and a reward perhaps from stressful work before summer ends. However, my friend suggested that we will go to paradise instead thus we agreed each other. Yesterday, as I wandered on my facebook feeds I read a shared post complaining about the policy of the said resort particularly the issue of 2000php photoshoot fee.

The case of the P2,000 photoshoot fee

by Rudolph Ian Alama on Monday, May 23, 2011 at 12:44am

The Maniniyot Community  is a young group of  photography hobbyists, enthusiasts and professionals in Davao City. We decided to hold our summer get-together in the Island Garden City of Samal and among the many resorts, we chose Costa Marina resort  since it would be less crowded than its popular neighbor thereby conducive to holding our group activity which included a photoshoot.

When we got there, our bags and items were frisked by the security guard which is SOP. When the guard opened one of my bags containing my light stands and tripod he asked us if we were going for a photoshoot and then told us about the resort policy of paying P2,000 for a photoshoot.

We reasoned out that its not a professional photoshoot, we were just  an amateur photography group holding our activity. And normally we would bring our gears. (I usually bring my light stands and tripod with me.) The attendant/receptionist then reiterated the policy- pay P2,000 for a photoshoot. They told us that since we brought the cameras, it is tantamount to a photoshoot .

We asked for consideration, we decided to compromise by scrapping our photoshoot, instead we will  just be taking pictures (picture-taking) to document the get-together, as normally we would do if we bring our cameras, we promised them that there will be no more model photoshoot. (we had brought a model and a make-up artist for the occasion). However the management was adamant, no photoshoots of whatsoever even taking of pictures unless we cough up P2,000.

The group then protested that we were not informed by the marketing office when we called up to inquire about the resort. There was no prior information whatsoever that there will be a photoshoot fee, a f*cking P2,000 photoshoot fee. We then asked for another consideration. however they denied our request. Since we were 20 in the group we just decided to collect P100 from each member to raise the amount needed for the shoot and after paying we were able to conduct our activity and the photoshoot with very heavy hearts.

I remember that I covered this Visit Samal program by the Department of Tourism and wrote stories about this tourism program for Samal and Talicud Island. but this stupid photoshoot fee or what I will call DSLR camera Corkage fee of Costa Marina (which is also said to be practiced by some resorts) will be a big blot to this tourism project.

Although it is a private resort and it is the management prerogative, I couldn't just understand why on earth would that resort charge us for taking pictures at an unreasonable fee of P2,000?? They should have informed us, they should have posted their rules  and not  when we are already lining up to pay for entrance fee. They should also define what a PHOTOSHOOT is since even a simple picture-taking is not allowed unless you pay P2,000.

Why make money out of people taking pictures?? Dont these people know that picture takers/photographers are the best marketing people out there. A single picture could have the power of enticing a thousand visitors. Digital cameras particularly DSLRs are becoming common nowadays I just hope no DSLR toting tourist would stray into Costa Marina premises unaware of this picture-taking fee rule.

I also hope the DOT and our tourism stakeholders could perhaps rein in some stupid policies such as this Costa Marina photoshoot fee  or if not post this weird stupid policies in their Visit Samal booths so people (potential tourists) would be well- informed.

image source: WorldTourObject.com