ELI to complete resort renovation by yearend

CEBU, Philippines - Enrison Land Inc., the developer of Be Resort Mactan, will soon unveil a brand new look as it completes its P100 million renovation works before the end of the year.

The eight-year-old property, the first hotel venture of the Benedicto-led ELI, will have new updated rooms, lobby, restaurants, function rooms and other facilities in the next few months.

"We are listening to what the market wanted. It’s a total renovation, although we are keeping our image as designer hotel," said ELI president Grand T. Benedicto in an interview yesterday.

The "Brand New Be Mactan" project also includes remodeling guest rooms, expanding drop off and pick-up points, enhancing the esthetics of public places like lobby, and restaurants.

The property was built by the company eight years ago, initially positioned as no-frills hotel. But, following the opening of the eight-hectare resort property in Panglao, the posh Be Grand Bohol, Benedicto said the Mactan property also has to align to get closer to Be Grand Bohol's deluxe positioning.

At least 70 percent of the total 160 rooms are currently completed. It targets finish all rooms' facelift already before the Iron Man competition will take place next month.

"Mactan is a stable site (for tourism)," said Benedicto explaining that despite the entry of new hospitality chains and resorts on the island, the market is still lucrative.

"Everybody has its own piece of the market," he added.

Next year, the company will direct its focus on expanding the Be Grand Bohol, adding more accommodation facilities from current 208 rooms and 19 luxury villas plus 200 more rooms, Benedicto bared.

Aside from rooms, the Be Grand Bohol will also build larger function rooms and convention spaces.

According to Benedicto, with the government's active stance in forging closer relationship with China, Russia and other countries, and the upcoming opening of the Mactan Cebu International Airport (Terminal 2), tourism is seen to rise, hardly to be affected by threat of security and other interventions.

The Benedicto Group, which also owns a cement factory, school, exports, among others, entered into the hospitality sector some years ago through the development of Be Resorts in Punta Engaño on Mactan Island.

The encouraging business of its first resort venture, prompted the company to focus on tourism-related investments, although it also currently building BPO and office buildings, as well as residential developments.