THE impending closure of one of Cebu’s high-end accommodation facilities, Cebu City Marriott Hotel, will not have a negative impact on tourism, a tourism stakeholder noted.
This as the Department of Labor and Employment said it will send a team to look into the situation of the hotel’s employees who may be displaced by the closure.
The Cebu Association of Tour Specialists (Catos) expects a comeback of the brand probably in another setting.
“We look at these developments positively. The closure of Cebu City Marriott Hotel does not mean that they will leave Cebu for good. For sure, there will be a comeback,” said Catos president Alice Queblatin, adding that Cebu City Marriott Hotel has been instrumental in boosting tourism arrivals to Cebu, particularly among the business travelers.
She believes Cebu will be gaining from the opening of the new brand, Seda.
“On the other hand, we are welcoming a new family in the accommodation sector, which is Seda Hotel, managed by the Ayala Group so we are assured of the quality of service,” she said.
Earlier, the Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association of Cebu (HRRAC) also welcomed the news. Its president, Carlo Suarez, said it is an opportunity for Cebu. It will be the second for the hotel chain, as another Seda Hotel is currently under construction at the Cebu IT Park.
The Seda brand has locations in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Iloilo, Nuvali in Laguna and Quezon City.
It was first launched in 2012.
The AyalaLand Hotels and Resorts Corp. (AHRC) announced on Thursday that it has ended its 20-year contract with Marriott International Hotels effective Dec. 31 this year.
Cebu City Marriott Hotel will close on Jan. 1, 2018 and will be replaced by AHRC’s own Seda Hotel after renovations of rooms and amenities.
Department of Labor and Employment 7 Officer in Charge Cyril Ticao, in an interview, said the agency is still waiting for the notice of closure.
He reminded the firm to give just compensation to the affected employees.
Ticao said that a quick response team will be deployed to ensure that once the closure has been filed the full separation benefits of the employees will be given.
The Dole official added that the team is also going to help the affected employees with their plans after the hotel closes.