Upbeat tourism paves way for new service

CEBU, Philippines - With the robust tourism sector in Cebu in attracting both local and foreign tourists, the province is ready to provide other dimension of accommodation facility, which is the service apartment type of accommodation.

At present, despite Cebu’s reputation as the center of tourism in the Philippines, it still has to get into providing service apartment type of accommodation, while most developments are still in hotels, resorts, condominiums.

Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila general manager Brian B. Connelly said Cebu is ready for this kind of service, and that Oakwood is exploring possibilities to enter the Cebu market, if given the opportunity to find the “right partner.”

“I believe the market is right for service apartment here. Your reputation as tourism destination is very strong,” Connelly said.

Not just being the center of tourism, Cebu which has growing number of BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) investments has to explore on this type of service, while expatriates and huge corporate market usually look for service apartment type of accommodation.

What is good with “full service apartment” accommodation, the guest can have own kitchen, laundry service and other personal and necessary needs, he stressed.

A serviced apartment is a type of furnished, self-contained apartment designed for short-term and long-term stays, which provides amenities for daily use. Serviced apartments can be less expensive than equivalent hotel rooms.

He said Oakwood is open to any interested partner in Cebu, to enter in this kind of accommodation facility. But, at present there is no negotiation yet, or interest from any interested developer to venture into this type of service here in Cebu.

Oakwood works with developer partners, or people with existing buildings that are interest to convert their buildings into serviced apartment, and conform to the worldwide standard of Oakwood.

Oakwood, recently opened a 233-fully-funished apartments the Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center Manila, at Ortigas Center, in partnership with Filipino developer Quantuvis Resources Corporation. It hopes to increase its occupancy rate among Filipino travelers via providing attractive promotional packages for local residents.

According to Connelly, Cebu is ripe to offer this kind of facility to its diverse visitors from business to leisure. —Ehda M. Dagooc