AppleOne keen on expansion amid tourism sector recovery

MANILA, Philippines — Cebu-based real estate and hospitality firm AppleOne Group Inc. has drawn up an aggressive expansion plan to dovetail with the initiatives of Department of Tourism (DOT) to attract more international visitors to sustain the recovery of the tourism industry and create more jobs.

Based on DOT data, Cebu province saw a jump in the number of local and foreign visitors in 2022 by 205 percent. It received a total of 2.8 million visitors that year, three times more than the 902,000 visitors in 2021.

This year, AppleOne is confident of a further jump in visitor arrivals, especially with Cebu’s aggressive efforts to attract more tourists now that the borders are open, flights are back to normal, and people are on the lookout for the best revenge travel ideas.

“We are in talks with several international luxury brands to help us deliver world-class service and convenience in real estate and tourism-related projects that are now under development within and outside our home market of Cebu,” said Ray Manigsaca, president of AppleOne.

“We have identified several areas in other parts of the Visayas and in Mindanao for our future development projects and diversification efforts,” he added.

AppleOne is looking to replicate in other parts of the Visayas and in Mindanao its brand of luxurious hotels as it aims to embark on partnerships that will uphold the company’s vision.

Manigsaca said the company has engaged Marriott International, an internationally recognized hospitality brand, to ensure that The Residences at Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, which sits along a stretch of white sand beach, offer modern conveniences and five-star hotel amenities.

Mahi Center, meantime, is AppleOne’s response to the need to advance the information technology industry in Lapu-Lapu City. Mahi Center also offers well-curated retail experiences via a boutique mall, office spaces for IT businesses with direct access to the mall, and a business hotel from global hotel brand Marriott International which will be Fairfield by Marriott Mactan, the first in the country.