High hotel rates during Apec meet ‘attended to,’ says Cebu mayor
Following complaints that hotels in Cebu City were charging twice as high as their original rates during the meeting dates of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) 2015 conference, Mayor Mike Rama on Saturday assured delegates and the public that the matter was being “fully attended to.”
Rama said the local government had been communicating with the management of major hotels in the metropolis upon receiving reports that room rates would increase by as much as 120 percent from Aug. 22 to Sept. 6.
“All is well that ends well. The matter is fully attended to,” Rama said over Radyo Inquirer 990AM. “Dapat lang na making sila.”
Expressing concern over Cebu’s image as a travel destination, Rama said necessary actions must be taken on recent complaints as they might affect local tourism and leave a negative impression on delegates.
“All is aware. Hindi naman pwede ‘yung we try to employ abuse, because we are talking about promoting tourism,” Rama said.
“If we want to be competitive, hindi naman pwedeng we will leave bad memories,” he added.
Among hotels that reportedly increased its rates during the Apec meeting dates were Radisson Blu, Marco Polo Plaza, Marriott Cebu, and Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa.
READ: Some Cebu hotels double their rates for Apec | Apec delegates complain over Cebu’s high hotel rates
Peace and order
Seven days before the meetings start, Rama said peace and order in the city were being maintained not only by authorities but also by the locals themselves.
“Hindi po pwedeng Philippine National Police lang, kung hindi lahat, nagtutulungan. Kasi ‘pag sinasabi mong Apec, eh buong Asia Pacific ‘yan eh. ‘Pag Asia Pacific po, opportunity not only for Cebu City, Lapu-Lapu, but it will also be an opportunity for the country kaya tulung-tulungan po, hindi lang enforcement agencies,” he said, emphasizing the need for “oneness and togetherness.”
Delegates from the 21 Apec-member economies will gather in Cebu for the third senior officials’ meeting and related meetings. Yuji Vincent Gonzales/RC
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