Dakak seeks partners to help pursue resort expansion plans

Benefited by the improving tourism arrivals in some parts of Southern Philippines, Dakak Park Beach Resort will be expanding the five-star facility to utilize the entire 50-hectare property.

Running at an average occupancy rate of 60 percent, Dakak is slowly getting on its feet again, after it was heavily affected by the peace and order situation in Mindanao.

"We are currently looking for partners or investors to help us pursue our expansion plans," said Dakak resident manager Rossini J. Montecalvo.

Dakak Resort is only utilizing 25-hectare of the entire 50-hectare property, according to Montecalvo, the Jalosjos-led Dakak Park and Beach Resort Corporation has seen the need for expanding the business.

Aside from its plan to add the 130 cottage type room accommodation, Montecalvo said part of the expansion plan is to build an 18-holes golf course in the area, as the present golf course only offers 3-holes.

Next year, the company will start its renovation of the reception area, and expansion of function rooms, and other facilities, she said.

The resort, which started its operations in 1998, is located in Southern Philippines, specifically Taguilon, Dapitan City in Zamboanga del Norte. The resort property faces the Sulu Sea in the east and is surrounded by mountains in its west side.

It is the first five-star resort built on the Philippine Island in Mindanao, located along a private 750-meter white sand beach near the historic town of Dapitan City.

Montecalvo admitted that the Resort had experienced weak business performance, especially during the height of tourism drought in Mindanao, due to the peace and order issue in its neighbor province in Zamboanga del Sur.

"Now, the business is improving. We've got an increasing number of foreign visitors, as well as domestic guests," she said.

There are currently informal negotiations being made between the company and some interested parties, but no formal arrangement yet.

"We are still looking for investors that can well meet our requirements," she said.

According to Montecalvo, the entry of direct flights and fast craft to Dapitan has largely help in the recovery of Dakak, as tourists have now easy access to come to the resort.

She said the company wants to take advantage of the dynamic market for Dakak, and expansion and renovation programs will help sustain the momentum.

Also, the government of Dapitan City, which is prioritizing the development of tourism has also prompted the Dakak management to expand its facility, as the only five-star resort in the area.