Banking on the robust tourism industry of the country, a local property development company will invest around P1.5 billion in three major tourism projects next year.
Following their expansions in their existing property, Cebu White Sands Resort and Spa in Maribago, Mactan, Unchuan Development Corp. president and chief executive officer Francisco Unchuan said they will be developing two more properties in Cebu and a destination resort in Palawan.
“We will be developing a ‘Maldives-like’ property at the Islas Tres Rosas which will initially have 16 villas. This will be a six-star resort in Mactan,” said Unchuan.
The resort called Abana Island Resort will be developed under Avino Land Development Corp., the property development firm’s subsidiary.
They also plan to develop a mountain resort in Barili town in southwestern Cebu. The area is near the Milk Station, a popular tourist stop in the town.
“The resort measures less than 40 hectares and we plan to develop it into a resort with a farm ambiance,” he said of the Barili project.
The area to be developed has many animals like milking cows, carabaos, peacocks, and horses.
“We also have a natural spring within the property which we can use to develop pools for those who want to take a dip,” said Anya Unchuan, Francisco’s daughter.
The mountain resort will feature a natural farming concept and targets visitors on day trips and companies holding team building activities.
The Palawan property covers 23 hectares of land in the northern tip of Puerto Princesa.
The elder Unchuan said the property has a long stretch of white sand beach front and a vast area of forested land where they plan to incorporate the concept of both the island and mountain resorts in Cebu.
Unchuan said an international hotel chain is requesting for a meeting with them to partner for the development of the property.
“The project will be developed under Rockscape Developers Asia which is also a subsidiary of Unchuan Development Corp.”
He said that these projects show how optimistic they are of the country’s tourism industry.
“There are lots of interests in the country’s tourism both from the tourists and investors, that is why we are developing these projects in key destinations in the country,” he said.
The Unchuans also said they will add 35 more rooms to the 51-room White Sands Resort and Spa and renovate some parts of the resort.
“For the upgrades and renovations, we are looking at investing not more than P50 million which we plan to implement next year,” he said.