OWNERS of Golden Prince Hotel and Suites are planning to open another hotel brand to expand the group’s footprint in the hospitality industry, given the steady growth in arrivals in Cebu.
Benedict Que, president of Golden Prince Hotel and Suites, said he looks forward to expanding the family’s hotel business to cater to the growing number of foreign and local tourists visiting the province for business or leisure.
“Opportunities in tourism are high,” said Que, adding that they are capitalizing on the opening of Terminal 2 of the Mactan Cebu International Airport soon.
He said the hotel is also bracing for the influx of more foreign tourists led by the Chinese market, who now account for a bigger group of arrivals than tourists from Japan.
Que said the group is planning to build a budget hotel, which will have 150 rooms. “The plan is still on the drawing board and is still subject to changes,” he said.
Currently, the family operates the 160-room Golden Prince Hotel and Suites and the 50-room Golden Valley.
Low-cost carrier AirAsia is opening additional flights between Cebu and Shanghai, Shenzhen and Hangzhou.
“We, on the business side, are also preparing for more Chinese tourists to visit Cebu who usually come in groups,” said Que.
According to the Department of Tourism (DOT) 7, there were 34,979 rooms in the region as of 2017, most of which are in Cebu.
Between 2018 and 2019, the Hotels, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu said at least 5,000 new rooms in Cebu City and Mactan will be added to the room supply.
Tourism and allied industries are expected to propel the growth of the regional economy in 2018, according to the National Economic Development Authority (Neda) 7 Director Efren Carreon.
Hotel operators look forward to year-round high occupancy as tourist arrivals are expected to grow by 15 to 20 percent during the year.
Brisk tourism activities would also benefit the transport industry. The region expects airline companies to launch additional flights. The shipping industry is also expected to thrive as it remains a popular mode for traveling in the region. KOC