CEBU, Philippines - To complement the expansion of the Mactan Cebu International Airport, the Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino is accelerating its renovation project to strengthen its position as the premier airport hotel in Cebu.
In an interview with Waterfront Airport Hotel manager Ma. Theresa S. Fernandez, she said that the hotel, which is under the publicly-listed hotel chain Waterfront Philippines Inc. (WPI), already invested about P100 million to update its backroom equipment and back-office support, including the renovation of its lobby, carpeting, converting switches to digital.
“We are 100 steps from the airport. We are going to strengthen our position as an airport hotel,†said Fernandez in a press interview recently.
The 164-room hotel had its major renovation in 2006. This time, Fernandez said the management is responding to the sophisticated need of guests in all facets of services especially facilities, among others.
Now on its 17th year, the Waterfront Airport Hotel started its phase-by-phase renovation project last year.
“We are concentrating on upgrading the hotel’s aesthetics as of this time,†Fernandez said adding that it is also planning to add more rooms in the next few years to hit at least a total of 250 guest rooms.
The hotel targets to complete its full renovation before the initial date of completion of airport expansion by 2016.
Now averaging an occupancy rate of 70 percent to 75 percent, Fernandez hopes that with Cebu’s efforts in attracting more Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition (MICE) events to Cebu to help boosts the hotel’s occupancy rate.
She however admitted that the recent cancellation of Qatar Airways direct flight from Cebu to Doha, has slightly affected the hotel’s occupancy rate.
In 2011, Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino contributed P18.03 million to the group’s total revenue.
In an earlier interview with WPI president Kenneth Gatchalian, he said that the group will focus on upgrading and improving its existing hotels spending on renovation projects, before the group will decide to expand on establishing another property in potential areas in the country.
“To ensure long-term stability of the corporation and continuing customers’ satisfaction, we are steadfast in making new additions and improvements in the quality of our product. Not only does this contribute to improved customer feedback; it also has great advantage of further differentiating the Waterfront experience, strengthening our brand and making us well positioned to reap the benefits of our measures in the event of an industry recovery,†said Gatchalian. (FREEMAN)