Tourists continue to come in to Cebu especially with the opening of Mactan-Cebu International Airport’s (MCIA) Terminal.
But tourism stakeholders have one recurring concern: the lack of hotel rooms.
“We are still lacking of hotel rooms, especially with the opening of our new airport. Our airport stakeholders have been doing good work trying to promote Cebu as a destination,” said Ed Tongco, vice president for hotels of the Hotel, Resort, Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC).
In order to address this need, developers and hotel operators, as early as now, have already drafted plans to put up more hotel projects within Metro Cebu.
Among the biggest ones is being pursued by the GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC), the private operator of the MCIA.
According to GMCAC Chief Executive Advisor Andrew Harrison, Cebu currently has only around 10,500 hotel rooms in its inventory.
He said this is not enough, with the projected continued growth in the number of tourist arrivals in the coming year.
In comparison, he said Bali, Indonesia, has 50,000 hotel rooms.
The company is planning to build a 400-room hotel right beside the Terminal 2.
Andrew Acquaah-Harrison Deputy CEO, GMR.(tonee despojo)
“We will start construction by the end of Quarter 1 of 2019. It is expected to be finished by the end of 2021. But it will depend on the process,” Harrison said.
While details were still being finalized, he said that they were already looking for an international hotel operator for the property that they would be building.
Aside from the hotel, GMCAC will also be building a mixed-use commercial property on the other side of the Terminal 2, where the parking area is currently located.
In the meantime, transit passengers in the terminal may opt to avail of a new nap and shower facility which was opened by the MCIA just this week.
Aerotel has 11 rooms which can be rented by passengers for short term. It has different rates for three, six, and nine-hour stays.
Mandani
Another developers looking at a hotel project is HT Land Inc., the developers of the 20-hectare Mandani Bay at the North Reclamation Area in Mandaue City.
According to Gilbert Ang, Mandani Bay’s project director, feasibility and market studies are currently ongoing for this hotel project.
“We are looking for investors to set up the hotel. We are open for long term lease,” he said.
Based on their current certifications and documents, Mandani Bay is qualified to host a five-star hotel within their property.
Ang said that there are already several hotel management firms who have expressed interest in pursuing the hotel project within the property.
Details of the project are still being finalized.
Harolds
Ed Tongco, who is also the general manager of homegrown brand Harolds Hotel, said they too were looking at more hotel projects in Cebu.
Harolds Hotel General Manager Ed Tongco
Last December 5, the property broke ground for their second hotel project, Harolds Express, at Timog, Quezon City, in Manila.
The 145-room hotel is a brand under Harolds and is the Harolds Express.
As early as now, Tongco said they were already completing a plan for the second Harolds Express to be located in Cebu City.
“The potential area is along Salinas Drive. The plan is already 80 percent completed, the design and layout,” Tongco said.
He added that they were also looking at developing their other property located somewhere in Mactan Island for the new Harolds Express if in case the one in Salinas Drive would not push through.
The plan for Harolds Express is to have 150 rooms, which is much more than Harolds Hotels’ current 90 rooms.
It will rise in a 700-square meter lot and will have more amenities including a swimming pool. Concrete plans for Harolds Express in Cebu are expected to materials by 2021.
In the meantime, Harolds Hotel will be undergoing a major renovation in 2019.
“Harolds Hotel is running to eight years. If you’re a traveler, you can see the difference between the new hotels and facilities. Competition is getting difficult,” Tongco said.
The management is setting aside around P50 million for the renovation which is targeted to start before Holy Week in 2019.
Renovation will start at the roofdeck and will include a total revamp of the Highlights Bar to make it fully covered, with still an al fresco area.
From there, they will continue with room renovations starting from the topmost floor, going down.
Last to be renovated will be the lobby and the H Cafe.
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