Budget hotel expands to meet demand

CEBU, Philippines - In order to cash in on the growing number of tourists in Cebu, a neophyte hotel chain plans to build 100 additional rooms by yearend and another 160 in the next year.

Gran Prix Hotel and Suites president and chief executive, Jan Keirulf, revealed that construction for a 100-room hotel will soon be started in uptown Cebu, once negotiations with the chain’s local partner is finalized.

“The growth area is Cebu. Statistically, Cebu is the number one destination in the country,” said Keirulf. “In our initial assessment we found out that Cebu still needs more rooms, the reason why we plan to expand especially in high visibility areas.”

“We invest heavily in proven destinations that have been heavily marketed worldwide,” he said, adding that this is also one of the reasons why they are planning to put more investments in the city.

Keirulf said that since travel has become a regular part in the life of every Filipino, the demand for accommodations and other tourist amenities also grows.

“There are no more seasons in travelling now. The demand is there, and so far, we have not really experienced a slow season especially in Cebu,” he said.

“Currently we are expanding our existing sites like in Malate were we are adding 40 more rooms,” he said.

He also revealed that the chain is focusing on gateway locations, or places where travelers are bound to pass en route to other locations.

Value added package

He said that in order to compete in the market, the hotel is banking on the added value package that he claims will make the experience of the traveler “seamless from house to hotel.”

“We have created a package that people would really need, which is sometimes overlooked by the hospitality industry,” he said.

One of these, Keirulf revealed, is the Early Check-In and Late Check-Out arrangement, relating it to his experience where he would arrive in a destination early but unable to check-in until 2 p.m. or even to check out late without being charged extra.

“It’s about the total value added package,” he said.

A Filipino brand, Gran Prix started its operations in 2006. Today it has branches in Manila, Cebu City, Quezon City, Pasay City, Tarlac City, and Boracay. It also plans to open branches in Cagayan de Oro City and Tacloban City, and currently has inquiries for possible expansion in Vietnam.— Ritche T. Salgado