Thursday, November 17, 2011
HOTELS and resorts in Lapu-Lapu City are optimistic about their prospects in 2012 following an improvement of occupancy rates this year.
Hembler Mendoza, administrative coordinator for Hotels and Resort of the Lapu-Lapu City Tourism, Historical and Cultural Affairs Association, reported that hotels and resorts reported 71 percent occupancy this year, far better than last year’s performance.
“Last year (2010) was not good because we lost guests due to the hostage crisis in August. The industry regained and picked up and this year’s performance is quite better than 2010,” Mendoza said at the sidelines of Lapu-Lapu City’s Tourism Night last Tuesday.
He said they are optimistic about next year’s prospects. “There is a possibility we could grow stronger next year.”
Koreans are still the top travel markets among hotels and resorts in Mactan. Mendoza, however, observed a growing number of arrivals from other Asian countries.
He said one unique selling point of Mactan that hotels and resorts take advantage of is its being a leisure and pleasure destination. Mendoza said foreign and local guests spend weeks or months in Mactan’s hospitality facilities.
Last Tuesday, the Lapu-Lapu City government and tourism stakeholders celebrated the city’s annual tourism night.
Mendoza said the event is a celebration of camaraderie among tourism stakeholders in Mactan Island. “This event also aims to showcase to balikbayans or returnees the evolution of the tourism industry here, including the trends and technology employed,” Mendoza said.
This year’s theme showcased the best of Philippine cuisines per region, including the best cuisines of Lapu-Lapu City.
The annual tourism night was participated in by 18 hotel and resort groups and Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority, Association of Tour Guides and Mactan Islands Golf Club.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza lauded the efforts and cooperation of private tourism stakeholders and the local government. She said tourism is an important economic driver of Lapu-Lapu City.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on November 18, 2011.
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