Robinsons inks deal with Dusit Thani to operate resort in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines -  Robinsons Land Corp., is bringing the Dusit brand to Cebu through a hotel management agreement with Thailand-based Dusit International.

Under the agreement, RLC will operate the Dusit Thani Resort Mactan Cebu Resort, a five-star resort situated on the northern peninsula of Mactan Island, which will commence operations in 2019.

RLC president Frederick Go said this is the firm’s first agreement with Dusit Thani.

The agreement covers only the Cebu project but RLC is open to doing similar projects with Dusit.

RLC is also optimistic about the tourism prospects in Cebu.

“We’re very excited. International tourism arrivals in Cebu are growing leaps and bounds,” he said.

The new beachfront resort will comprise 271 well-appointed guest rooms divided between three buildings adjacent to RLC’s AmiSa private residences.

Facilities will include a luxury spa, a fully-equipped fitness center, an executive lounge, three restaurant outlets with al-fresco and private dining, a large infinity pool, and over 1,200 square meters of meeting space, officials said during yesterday’s signing ceremony.

Mactan Island is served by Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), which is currently undergoing a P17.5 billion-expansion aimed at increasing capacity to 12.5 million from 4.5 million passengers.

This year, Cebu is expected to welcome 10 million arrivals, a 12 percent increase from 2016.

Dusit Thani Resort Mactan Cebu Resort will be the third property in the Philippines to carry the Dusit Thani brand next to Dusit Thani Manila and the upcoming Dusit Thani Residence Davao.

Dusit International CEO Lim Boon Kwee said partnering with hotel owners in key markets such as the Philippines is essential to Dusit International’s long term sustainable and profitable growth.

“Mactan Island has potential to further become a greater tourism destination and what better way than to partner with an international 5-star hotel partner as Dusit Thani to manage our upscale resort development,” Go said.