With growing market of millennial travelers Roxaco upbeat on budget hotels

MANILA, Philippines — Riding on the wave of a booming tourism industry supported by a promising economy, the budget hotel sector is expected to prosper in the following years as more millennials travel, according to developer Roxaco-Vanguard Hotel Corp. (RVHC).

“As the global tourism landscape continues to evolve, so will the hotel industry. The rising number of millennial travelers, who only need basic amenities, has opened the doors for more budget hotels,” said JJ Montinola, assistant vice president of RVHC.

The global travel industry is experiencing a shift as more millennials travel. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, (UNWTO), the number of youth travelers is expected to hit 320 million annually by 2020.

“The millennial generation is growing up in a technologically dependent world where travelling is made so easy with the emergence of online booking apps for hotels and airlines, as well as tourist-related apps like language guides and navigation maps,” Montinola said.

 Roxaco also noted experience as a huge factor in millennial travel, as this generation is more focused on authentic local experiences rather than extra amenities and services. “This is evident in their social media pages where they mostly post about their experiences with the local places, people, and their culture,” said Montinola.

Armed with this information—plus the desire to provide Philippine travelers affordable but high-quality accommodations—RVHC, in association with Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC), has already built five Go Hotels within the Philippines. The company aims to have a total of 20 branches in the next 10 years.

According to Roxaco, there are only a few key items that travelers look for: a clean and comfortable bed, strong water supply, a reliable WiFi connection, and a centrally-located and secure hotel that provides easy access to public transportation and areas of interests.

RVHC built its hotels in strategic areas. One such branch is Go Hotels-Cubao, which is situated just a stone’s throw away from the Araneta Center—keeping travelers close to where the action is—with over 2,000 retail, food, and entertainment spaces. And as a recognized public transport hub, Go Hotels-Cubao guests can easily reach other parts of the metro through several modes: buses, as well as two train stations (LRT-2 and MRT) situated in the heart of the commercial district.  

Being an “essential-service” hotel, Go Hotels lets guests pay only for the basics. It also offers a pricing scheme similar to airlines where prices depend on the availability of the room and early bookings provides better deals. Guests can get a room starting at P888.

RVHC is a joint venture between Roxaco Land Corp., the property arm of publicly-listed holding firm Roxas and Co. Inc., and Vanguard Hotels Select (Phil) Pte. Ltd.