A P2-BILLION hospitality project is set to make history in the Philippines as Citadines Mactan Cebu Resort becomes the first-ever resort property in the country fully managed by the internationally renowned Citadines brand.
Scheduled for completion in 2028, the development marks a significant expansion for Citadines, which is globally recognized for blending modern urban living with world class hospitality.
The project is being developed by Iconic Resorts Properties Inc., a subsidiary of the Tanchan Corporate Group, the company behind Kopiko in the Philippines. Citadines Mactan Cebu Resort represents the group’s maiden venture into the leisure and resort space.
Strategically located in Barangay Agus in Mactan, Cebu, one of the country’s top tourism destinations, Citadines Mactan Cebu Resort will offer 303 guestrooms and hotel-serviced residences, designed for both short and extended stays.
Amenities
Amenities include rooftop and beachside pools, all-day dining, two ballrooms, a shooting range, fitness center, spa, yoga garden and a children’s playroom crafted to appeal to both leisure and business travelers.
“This Ascott-managed resort property invites guests to enjoy a relaxed lifestyle with the comfort and quality of international hospitality. It’s also a great opportunity for investors to be part of a hotel project managed by a trusted global brand like Ascott,” Giovanni Ong, president of Iconic Resorts Properties Inc.
“More than just owning a unit, you’re putting your money into something that can earn for you and grow in value over time. It’s a practical choice for those in Cebu and across the Philippines who want to make the most out of their investment.”
Unlike traditional condominium investments, Citadines Mactan Cebu Resort offers a fully managed ownership model with no monthly dues, allowing investors to generate passive income from tourist bookings while benefiting from long-term property appreciation, especially as Mactan’s hospitality sector continues to outperform many urban markets.
The Citadines brand, established in France in 1984 and acquired by The Ascott Limited in 2004, has grown into one of the fastest-expanding hospitality names globally.
“Citadines Mactan Cebu Resort is the first foray of the Tanchan Corporate Group into the resort and leisure industry. We hope this will be the first of many Iconic Resorts Properties projects across the country. Our vision is to see an Iconic resort in every major tourist destination in the Philippines,” said Constantine Tanchan, co-chief executive officer of Tanchan Corpo-
rate Group.
Tanchan said the group is eyeing to build more hotels and resorts in various tourism hotspots in the country like Bohol, Palawan and Boracay, among others.
Cebu Province commitment
Provincial Administrator and former Tourism secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano praised the entry of the Tanchan and Ong families into Cebu’s tourism sector, calling their Citadines Mactan Cebu Resort project a significant step toward elevating the province’s position on the global tourism map.
Durano assured the company of the Cebu Province’s support by implementing projects that align with industry needs. He said Gov. Pamela Baricuatro will convene the Provincial Tourism Council, composed of 60 percent from the private sector, on July 30 to present the new guidelines for the Pasigarbo and Suroy-Suroy Sugbo funds.
The Provincial Government is set to reprogram the P250 million tourism budget to focus on four key areas: enhancing cultural offerings, training for tourism frontliners, upgrading tourism facilities and boosting international and domestic tourism promotions.
Durano noted that the reallocation of funds aims to help address the 18 percent decline in Korean tourist arrivals to Cebu this year, among other tourism concerns.
“Based on our intel, this decline can be easily addressed through targeted programs, which is why we are reprogramming the budget,” Durano said.
Meanwhile, Lapu-Lapu City Rep. Junard Chan committed to improving infrastructure, particularly road networks, to support the island’s
tourism sector.
He welcomed the new resort’s entry into Mactan’s vibrant tourism landscape, saying it aligns with the city and the province’s ambition to capture a larger share of the global Mice (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions) market. / KOC