Shangri-la to spend P718M for three-phase renovation

PREMIER resort chain Shangri-la’s Mactan Resort and Spa will invest P718 million for a three-phase renovation to be completed in mid-2013.

Phase one was finished in December last year with 75 rooms designed with the new “ocean-to-shore” concept.

“We have two new suite categories, the Veranda and Casa, with warm, golden sand and fresh turquoise ocean hues in the 75 newly renovated rooms in our Shangri-la Wing,” said Agnes C. Pacis, Shangrila’s director of sales and marketing.

The second phase is underway in 123 rooms in the main wing. It will be finished by early June this year.

The third phase which will include 144 rooms, the main lobby and the Tides restaurant should start by January 2013 and completed in four to five months, said Pacis.

The resort has a total of 530 rooms. The last renovation was done in 2006.

The renovation is timely as the industry has become more competitive with the presence of new international brands in the Cebu market.

“We remain confident with our brand and their presence also benefit us and other players. The more international brands we have here, the more we get to be in the map for the best destinations in the world,” said Pacis.

Shangri-la’s clients remain dominated by Koreans followed by Japan and the domestic market which includes corporate accounts and travelers.

Average room occupancy from 2011 to date is 70%, said Pacis.

Although Cebu is being marketed as a “second home” destination, Pacis said this will not directly affect Shangri-la Mactan since they cater more to leisure travelers than long-staying guests.

“I think that (trend of second home destination) will impact more the city hotels but not us here in Mactan. We have some long staying guests who stay for more than 40 days, but that market segment has not really matured,” said Pacis.

Fun Packages

Pacis said the Mactan resort will offer packages that plays with he new tourism slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines”, which they plan to do together with other Shangri-la properties in the country.

“I already called on other properties in Makati, Boracay and Edsa so that we can come up with a common ‘fun’ package in line with the new DOT (Department of Tourism) slogan,” she said./Reporter Aileen Garcia-Yap