Resort boosts sports tourism with cultural games package

CEBU, Philippines - To help boost Cebu's edge in "sports tourism", Shangri-La's Mactan Resort will be highlighting the country's favorite "cultural games" to attract both local and foreign tourists especially the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibition market to take part in preserving Filipino culture through games and recreation.

In an interview with the resort's director for sports and recreation Tommy Kennington, he said that following the introduction of Shangri-La's Mactan "Team Building Program" offer, wherein it boosts the offering of fitness, sports and creation, the hotel is set to develop Filipino "cultural games" package to add up to its existing Jogging Trail, Zipline Park, and other water and outdoor sports activities being set up at the resort's Ocean Terraces.

Hamilton said there is a need for Cebu accommodation facilities to add more exciting offers, aside from the usual sophisticated rooms, restaurants, and beach facilities.

"Everybody [resorts/hotels] has rooms, restaurants and beaches," Kennington said adding that adding more flavor to the usual facilities offered in the hotel, could boost market interest, at the same time heighten the destination's advantage in sports tourism.

While these outdoor activities can be done with families or group of friends, Kennington said the resort is eyeing the huge MICE market for the new "Adventures in Paradise" package.

The resort still has to finalize the specific games that will be included in its special "cultural games" package, but it has already improved the choices of both water and outdoor activities inside the sprawling resort property at the Punta Engaño in Mactan Island.

The 400-meter jogging trail features numerous training stations, he said. Access to the jogging trail is complimentary for in-house guests.

The resort also offers a 40-feet above the ground and 80-meter stretch zipline with the view of the Mactan Channel. Single rides are available at P150 while two rides are priced at P200.

With the addition of these recreational facilities, the resort said it has enhanced its group packages from more "enthusiastic stays" and offered "comprehensive range of corporate-oriented programs designed to boost motivation, encourage collaboration and amplify synergy."

Teambuilding arrangements can be customized to suit a company's requirement Kennington said emphasizing that among the activities they will push are traditional Filipino games, health and wellness exercises and other sports activities.

"Putting in place outdoor activities is part of the resort's thrust to improve the resort experience of their guests. These activities will also help the company remain competitive amid the proliferation of new resorts in Mactan and Cebu," he said in an interview.

"It's no longer enough that guests enjoy the beach and the food. They would also like to do worthwhile activities while inside the resort. These outdoor activities are a good connection between family members, friends, or even team members of the company," he reiterated.

Kennington said the general traveling trend now has evolved greatly to demand more exciting, health-friendly outdoor activities, specifically in the influx of young tourists from both local and foreign markets.

The resort had a good start for 2014, with average occupancy rate registered at 70 percent to 80 percent since January, said Mildred Amon, the resort's director for communications.

She said the 13-hectare resort property,  is also  bracing for the influx of local and foreign tourists for the Holy Week.

Towards the end of 2013, the 547-room luxury resort registered an average of 70 percent occupancy rate, and it noted an increasing interest from the local and foreign MICE market, as well as corporate clients inquiring for its "Team Building Program" offer. (FREEMAN)