Shangri-la was supposed to be the main venue of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit originally set this week.
The government decided to postpone the summit because of typhoon Seniang, but there were speculations that the real reason for the decision was the threat of a terrorist attack.
The summit has been tentatively moved to Jan. 8 to 13 next year.
In a statement furnished to Sun.Star Cebu, Shangri-la said its promotional packages are designed to attract local residents.
It said its garden view room can now be had for as low as P6,500. Guests can also use the resort’s amenities which includes, among others, non-motorized water sports, pools, private beach cove with marine sanctuary, and children’s playground.
All promotional packages, which will end on Dec. 21, include breakfast for two in any of the six restaurants at the resort.
According to Samarista, Shangri-la’s limited offer of reduced rates is a way to hike the hotel’s occupancy rate, which dropped tremendously due to the postponement of the summit.
Samarista said the hotel’s occupancy rate dropped to 12 percent last Monday but has gradually improved to 20 percent yesterday.
Still, this is much lower than the resort’s normal average, Samarista said.
She said that during peak seasons, especially during holidays, Shangri-la Mactan has 100 percent occupancy rate. Normal average occupancy rate is between 80 and 85 percent, she added.
Samarista said she could not determine the exact number of rooms the hotel will allocate when the summit pushes through in January but the number would definitely be lower as Shangri-la has already accepted reservations for the period.
Shangri-la allocated 547 rooms for the summit.
But Samarista assured that the hotel is not yet fully booked for January.
“The organizers will have to compromise but I’m sure they will understand,” she said.
Earlier, Tourism Un-dersecretary Phineas Alburo said the government is keen on helping the hotels and resorts recover losses by informing travel agencies and its principals to invite more tourists to Cebu.
However, Samarista said, this move “takes time.”
“Inviting foreign tourists needs more time and preparation. To immediately get them here is quite impossible,” she said.
That is why, Samarista said, the hotel is banking on local residents to fill up the vacated rooms. (MMM)
