Cebu continues to be a growth area for Marriott

With its latest renovation efforts, the Cebu City Marriott Hotel continues to show its huge optimism with Cebu as a location for both business and tourism opportunities.

Geared towards becoming the top business hotel in the city, the Cebu City Marriott Hotel is currently renovating its entire hotel facilities and interior design concepts.

“As new hotels come out, we need to stay in line with them or get ahead. And to continue being ahead of them, we have to improve our product,” said Cebu City Marriott Hotel general manager Roy Daniel Abraham in an interview.

 Abraham said that currently, they are already halfway of their renovations as their public areas have been completed such as their guest rooms and lobby lounge.

Right now they are working on renovating the first set of rooms while their ballroom areas will be started this November.

Abraham said that by last week of December, they will already complete the renovation of the entire hotel which was started last June.

He said that of the 116 rooms that are available right now, they have around 95 percent occupancy rate and they still do not feel the effects of the slowdown of the global markets.

“When we get all our 301 rooms completed, then it will be the time we see how the global crisis will affect our business,” said Abraham.

Marriott’s sleek modern new look features the best of local craftsmanship from its architectural designs to furniture, fixtures, and other design features.

“It’s a showcase of the best of Cebu. It’s a whole new style of hotel and it looks very unique for Cebu unlike the traditional. It will be like a new hotel once it’s all done,” he said.

The renovated rooms will feature ergonomic furniture for business and there will be wired and wifi connections available and more advanced technology equipment.

He said that they target at least 75 percent occupancy after all their room renovations are completed.

Marriott’s clientele are composed of 55 percent from the Philippines and these are clients based in the country mostly coming from Manila, weekened customers and balikbayan travellers.

Here in the city, Marriot claims to occupy the first position in terms of level of business as it is located at the heart of Cebu’s business district.

“When we are done with our renovations, we will do everything to make sure that we stay in the position,” Abraham stressed.

After ten years of operation in the city, the new image of the hotel is eyed to gear its growth in Cebu’s hospitality industry for another ten more years, said Abraham.

 “We want to stay ahead in the marketplace and in future competitions that are coming in. And as we are joint with the Ayala mall’s recent renovation, we will provide more value added choices of food and entertainment for our clientele,” he said.

As Cebu continues to be in the best position as the hub for business process outsourcing (BPOs), Marriott Hotel is also positive that their renovation efforts will be geared towards Cebu’s positioning in the international arena.

“Our whole budget is based on optimism that Cebu will continue to thrive better than other markets. BPOs and all other developments in the city will be very positive for Cebu and its business community,” said Abraham.