Tourism industry will recover: Plantation Bay GM

DESPITE cancellations of bookings by tourists after the recent bloody hostage-taking in Manila, a tourism industry player in Cebu has expressed optimism the industry will soon recover from what he described as “a temporary crisis.”

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa general manager Efren Belarmino told reporters yesterday that the recent crisis is more manageable compared with the 1998 Asian financial crisis that affected many businesses, including hotels and resorts.

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“We will all soon recover,” he said.

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa sales manager Stephanie Grace Trocio said about 164 room nights were cancelled since the incident in Manila. But she said that the cancellations are just temporary as they are seeing the business pick up with the approaching holidays.

Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, China and America as well as the domestic markets are among
the top markets of the hotel.

Belarmino, meanwhile, also announced the company’s recognition by the Social Security System (SSS) as top employer in Central Visayas under the medium-sized category. The award was given earlier this month.

The award is given yearly to employers who have complied with SSS requirements.

Promotion

Belarmino said the award was timely as it will help promote the hotel from the lingering effects of the recent hostage incident. He said the award is an affirmation that they are taking care of their employees and that the hotel is delivering good service to its clients. Plantation Bay currently employs 400 workers.

He said the hotel also received recognition from the Lapu-Lapu City Government for being one of the top taxpayers in the city for 2009.

On top of these, Trocio also reported that the hotel is undergoing improvements. “We are currently upgrading our facilities to keep up with the market competition,” she
said.

She said the hotel has recently expanded the number of its rooms from 225 to 256.