Cebu hotel industry soars to global levels

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu’s hotel industry is going global as international hotel chains bank on the province's potential as a tourism hub.

Various global hotel names are coming to Cebu, making prospects for the hotel business in Cebu quite promising.

"I greatly welcome the international brands because this means our tourism standards already reach a good global awareness level," Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) president Carlo Suarez told The FREEMAN yesterday.

Local developer Cebu Landmasters Incorporated has partnered with Ascott and Radisson Red to bring these global names to Cebu.

AppleOne Properties is also building a Sheraton property on Mactan Island with Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide while Grand Land is developing various projects bearing the various brands of Thai hotel group Dusit. Robinsons Land is also developing a Dusit property on Mactan Island.

Marriott is also making a comeback in Cebu with the Tanchan Corporate Group.

Marriott International and Tanchan had signed the new 251-room Courtyard by Marriott Cebu.

Construction of the new property, to be located in downtown Cebu City, is expected to begin in late 2018 and is projected to be completed by second quarter of 2021.

"These coming of international brands also contribute to skills service standard improvements," Suarez pointed out.

He believes Cebu remains attractive as a tourist destination.

Meanwhile, national developers are also bringing their homegrown hospitality brands to Cebu with Ayala Land operating Seda hotel, Megaworld constructing a Savoy hotel and Rockwell with its own Aruga brand.

Cebu's leisure sector gets a much-needed boost following the completion of the second terminal of Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

With the Department of Tourism projecting a surge in foreign arrivals, local and national developers in Cebu have started to either bring in foreign hotel brands or to expand homegrown ones, according to international realtor Colliers International.

Colliers sees the completion of the second terminal of MCIA playing a crucial role in the country’s goal of attracting up to 12 million foreign visitors by 2022.

The modernized and expanded airport can now accommodate up to 12.5 million passengers annually from 4 million previously. (FREEMAN)