Shangri-La Mactan offers new attraction for tourists

CEBU, Philippines - Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa recently introduced another attraction that is expected to draw interest from both foreign and local market, the “Sunset Cocktail Cruise” package.

Cebu, being the center of tourism in the Philippines, and moved up to offer diverse tourism related products suited for every market segment, world-class resort Shangri-La’s Mactan has taken advantage of the growing interest from the market demanding for sophisticated “Sunset Cruise” packages in Cebu.

According to Dominic Patterson, Shangri-La Mactan’s sports and creation manager, the “Sunset Cruise” packages, despite being there for quite some time as an option for tourists to enjoy nature, has never been made as stylish and chic.

Shangri-La’s Mactan has acquired the largest trimaran yacht in the Philippines, called “M/S Vainelle,” that can accommodate a maximum of 30 persons, in a two-hour cruise in the Mactan channel.

Cebu’s being positioned as a nature-based tourism destination which offers diverse attraction for water-based activities such as dolphin watching, diving, beach, among others should also be provided with a sophisticated intimate sunset cruise packages, Patterson said.

Initially, this service was offered only for in-house guests of the resort, but it was recently offered to other guests such as those in corporate events, private functions, among others.

Dinner for two, exclusive yacht charter and other special arrangements on board may also be arranged depending on the clients’ requirements, Patterson said.

Earlier, former Department of Tourism (DOT) secretary Joseph Ace Durano warned Cebu tourism stakeholders to brace themselves for the influx of high-end, high-spender tourists from all over the world.

According to Durano, Cebu has gained popularity as a sophisticated destination, with very laid-back environment.

Durano said it is important that tourism facilities in Cebu will provide a world-class standard of service, while Cebu has become an emerging destination for wealthy travelers around the world.

Because of this, he said Cebu also needs a number of five-star resorts and hotels, to prepare and accommodate the influx of sophisticated tourists, and existing triple A resorts, and five-star hotels should also provide elegant services and packages to satisfy this emerging affluent market.

"For Cebu to become a 'legitimate' world-class destination, we need to have wide choices of five-star to more luxurious accommodations and packages. This way, it will open up more market seeking for luxurious accommodations," Durano said. (THE FREEMAN)