Osmeña terminates contract with Hilton, partners with Movenpick in Cebu

MACTAN, Cebu, Philippines –After reaching a peaceful and mutually beneficial decision to terminate the management contract of the Hilton group of hotels here, property owner Oikonomos International Resources Corp. officially launched its new partnership with the Swiss brand Movenpick Hotels.

“We are delighted to join hands with Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, a highly regarded international hotel management company. We look forward to a successful collaboration and to further position our resort as a preferred leisure destination within the Philippines and Asia,” said Manuel Osmeña, group chairman of Oikonomos, at the media launch Tuesday.

Osmeña said the management contract with Movenpick is sealed at 15 years but expressed hopes that “we last more than that.”

Oikonomos’ contract with Hilton was also supposed to be 15 years but Osmeña said “we only had a little over five years of relationship with the Hilton.” He added the quick and mutually agreed termination was done so “we can both explore other possibilities individually.”

Osmeña also mentioned the board of directors of the owning company also approved a P100-million budget for the upgrade of the property. The “major upgrade” will be done in different phases and will start soon.

He also hinted that the present signature pink color of the hotel may be changed with the management takeover of Movenpick but was quick to add that the employees, especially those in the rank and file, will be absorbed 100 percent.

In a statement, Jean Gabriel Peres, president and CEO of Movenpick Hotels and Resorts, said, “We are very excited about our arrival in the Philippines. It is a significant milestone for Movenpick as it marks its 15th signed hotel in Asia.”

Helmut Gaisberger, Movenpick’s director of business development and director of operations in the Philippines, said the upscale hotel management company is represented in 29 countries with over 90 hotels existing or under construction in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and other parts of Asia.

“Movenpick started as a restaurant in Zurich in 1948. Then it opened wine cellars in 1970. In 1972, a Movenpick ice cream brand was introduced. Also in 1972, two Movenpick hotels opened in Switzerland,” said Gaisberger, who was former general manager of Mandarin Oriental Manila.

Rose Libongco, former marketing head of Sofitel in Manila and now marketing consultant of Movenpick Resort and Spa Cebu, said she is confident Movenpick Cebu will be received well by guests from all over the world. “But first, our obligation is to the citizens of the host city and I believe the Cebuanos will be the best salespersons of Movenpick here.”

The Movenpick Resort and Spa in Cebu is a Mediterranean-inspired enclave set on its private white sand beach on Mactan Island.