Albay targets more hotel rooms by 2020

MANILA, Philippines - The province of Albay targets to reach 5,000 hotel rooms by 2020 from both international and local property developers to boost tourism.

During the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) New Tourism Frontiers Forum in Legazpi, Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said there is a shortage of hotel room supply and an increasing demand from tourists at the same time.

“The problem with the Phili-ppines is that they placed everything in Metro Manila and now there is an oversupply there,” he said.

Part of the province’s development plan is to build convention quality hotels and resorts as it needs to absorb the growing number of MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions).

“Albay’s convention quality is at 1,000 only. And we target 5,000 rooms and preferably with resorts so that it will become destination, accommodation and promotion, all at the same time,” Salceda said.

Salcedo said three international brands are already in talks with him to build hotels in Legazpi, while local developers such as Ayala Land and Gaisano have started their hotel projects.

Salceda added 82 percent of the delegates who attended the APEC Summit in Manila were new visitors of the Philippines, potential tourists and even investors but were not able to do business because of air connectivity issues.

“APEC has a huge goodwill. But some cannot do business because there is no airport. The coming of the delegates is somewhat a lost opportunity since they cannot invest. That’s the impact of APEC,” he said.

The Bicol International Airport was slated to open next year but was delayed. The P960 million runway and P1.7 billion terminal have both been bidded out, but are not yet awarded.

Albay targets nearby cities including Hong Kong, Incheon, Bangkok, Tokyo and Singapore once the region’s international airport opens in 2018 which is expected to boost arrivals as direct flights will be available.

Meanwhile, Salceda is upbeat Albay will reach close to 1.1 million tourist arrivals by year-end, a 14 percent increase from 2014, following an improved marketing strategy and additional agri-eco tourism sites.