MORE branded resorts are set to open on Mactan Island as the tourism hub continues to attract major local and international investments.
Congressman Junard “Ahong” Chan announced on July 21, 2025, that two new branded resorts will rise across Citadines Mactan Cebu Resort, which broke ground earlier this month in Barangay Agus, Mactan.
“In front of that lagoon, there is an island where Henann Hotel and Resort and J.W. Marriott are soon to be built,” Chan said, referring to the area adjacent to the Citadines project.
The P2-billion, 303-room Citadines Mactan Cebu Resort is the latest project to invest in Cebu’s booming tourism sector. It will be developed by Iconic Resorts Properties Inc., a subsidiary of the Tanchan Corporate Group, the company behind Kopiko in the Philippines.
In a separate event, Manila-based Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI), the parent company of Megaworld, developer of The Mactan Newtown, confirmed plans to develop at least two luxury hotels within its township. This is on top of the integrated Mactan World Resort, which is slated to begin construction by the end of the year and is targeted for completion by 2027.
Chan said these new developments will further boost Mactan’s standing on the global tourism map. The island already hosts several top-tier local and international resort brands, including Shangri-La, Dusit Thani, Sheraton, Mövenpick, Mercure Mactan Cebu, Aruga Resort, Pullman Mactan Cebu Hotel, Crimson Resort, JPark Island, and Plantation Bay, among others.
“Naa na diri tanan sa Mactan (Everything is already here in Mactan). The sardine run, giant turtles, whale sharks, giant clams and dolphins. Our work now is to address traffic congestion,” Chan added.
To support the island’s ongoing development, Chan said the local government is fast-tracking key infrastructure projects. This includes the construction of the first-ever skyway in the Visayas and Mindanao, which will connect Mactan-Cebu International Airport directly to Cebu City.
“You can imagine the economic benefit this project will bring,” he said.
In addition to the skyway, a new flyover will also be built to connect the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway and Barangay Agus to help decongest traffic in the Marigondon area.
“There is already funding for this. It’s the implementation that we need to focus on,” he added. “To support tourism activities, we are opening roads and building roads.”
Chan also cited Mactan’s upcoming hosting of the Asean Summit in 2026 as a major boost for the island.
The summit will be held at the Mactan Expo, which is expected to be completed by October 2025, according to AGI president and chief executive officer Kevin Tan.
“We remain bullish in our expansions here, and we hope to do more concepts and introduce more things to this wonderful place,” Tan said.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ma. Cynthia “Cindi” Chan, in a separate event, said the continued wave of investments affirms investor confidence in the city’s potential.
“The choice to invest in Lapu-Lapu reflects the confidence of global brands in our city’s energy, potential, and growing reputation as a world-class destination,” she said. “With every international brand that enters our shores, we open up new opportunities for jobs, culture, investment, and pride for our people.”
Over the weekend, Lapu-Lapu City also welcomed two Gordon Ramsay restaurant concepts inside The Mactan Newtown. / KOC