Category: Review

Hotels’ occupancy rates rise in February 2006

Deluxe hotels in Metro Manila posted their highest average occupancy rate in February 2006, amid a political noise that failed to scare away foreign investors and tourists in the Philippines.

Spa industry picking up in the Philippines

The Philippines, a newcomer in the $24-billion global wellness tourism, is promoting two traditional massages in order to lure foreign tourists to its world-class spa destinations.

Gloria de Dapitan Park

Gloria de Dapitan is expanding its land amusement and theme park in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte province. The theme park is developing additional 5,100-square metres of land and acquiring brand-new theme park rides. The existing theme park has a total area of 9,335 square metres.

Punta Fuego

Roxaco Land Corp., the property arm of sugar producer Roxas and Co., Inc. is planning a number of tourism and residential projects to expand its business.  Its joint venture projects include the 88-hectare residential beach resort Peninsula de Punta Fuego and the 61-hectare seafront property Terrazas de Punta Fuego, both in Nasugbu, Batangas.  It said more projects will allow Roxaco to raise revenues by as much as half every year in the next three years.

Ascott Bonifacio Global City

Ascott Limited has signed contracts to manage two new serviced residences apartments in the Philippines.  It will construct the 220-unit Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila as its second Ascott-branded property in the Philippines, after the one in Makati.  It will also manage the 215-unit Citadines Salcedo Makati as the first Citadines apartment-hotel in the country. Both properties are expected to open in 2014.

All Hands Beach Resort Subic

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) has awarded the management of the 5,600-square meter All Hands Beach Resort to Brighterday Subic Ltd., Inc. (BSLI). The resort is formerly operated by the Freeport Service Corporation (FSC) which is located in a private cove.  SBMA said BSLI pledged to invest PhP10 million within five years to immediately improve the condition of the beach resort.

Boracay hotels

 

Despite the rainy season, the resort island of Boracay in Aklan province continues to attract guests.  The Aklan provincial government reported that some 628,243 foreign and domestic tourists arrived on the island in the first eight months of 2011, up by 12 percent from 561,405 visitors recorded in the same period last year.  In August alone, some 64,070 tourists visited Boracay, representing an increase of 10 percent from a year ago.

 

Tune Hotel Manila

Malaysian hotel chain operator Tune Hotels, which is a part of the Tune Group of AirAsia founder Tony Fernandes, plans to build seven hotels in the Philippines beginning 2012.  Tune Hotels CEO Mark Lankester said the expansion in the Philippines would involve an investment of up to US$60 million.  The Tune Hotels would rise in Angeles City, Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro City, Ermita in Manila, Makati City, Ortigas and Quezon City.  

“The Philippines is a priority market for Tune Hotels. With the rise of budget travel packages from airlines and increase in business travels, there is a high demand for no-fuss hotels that would provide affordable, safe, clean, convenient, and comfortable accommodation,” said Mr. Lankester.

 

Kukun Nuvali

Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corp. (AHRC) has begun construction of Kukun hotels, the country’s first chain of urban lifestyle hotels. The company began in December 2011 the development of Kukun BGC (Bonifacio Global City), Kukun Cagayan de Oro, and Kukun Nuvali.

Kukun hotels will blend the best qualities of branded, businessman and boutique hotels, thereby bringing a signature experience for its guests. The initial Kukun hotels will only have 150 to 200 rooms.

Winford Hotel in Manila

MJC Investments Corp., the leisure and tourism arm of Manila Jockey Club, has started a PhP3.7-billion tourism project in Manila after announcing plans to raise fresh capital.

MJC Investments said it broke ground for the Winford Hotel, which will encompass an 18-storey, luxury hotel with a six-storey retail, entertainment and recreation podium.  The project is located at the Lazaro