AppleOne fast-tracks expansion of Moalboal resort

CEBU, Philippines —  The three-hectare beach property in south-western coastal town of Moalboal, Cebu—Club Serena is poised to welcome the influx of tourists following the easing of travel restrictions in both local and international gateways.

Developed and managed by AppleOne Properties, Club Serena is one of the immediate beneficiaries of the recovering tourism in Cebu province registering 40 percent to 50 percent occupancy rate at the onset of summer season.

Club Serena general manager RJ Bautista said the resort is accelerating its expansion project to serve the active travel market by adding more accommodation facilities, as well as dining amenities and function rooms, including the establishment of a dive shop.

Moalboal, known for its “sardine run” attraction, and globally acclaimed diving sites is now experiencing the come-back of foreign tourists mostly backpackers and diving enthusiasts re-living the pandemic-caused slump in tourism.

In an interview, Bautista said the apparent recovery of tourism in Moalboal pushed the resort to accelerate its planned expansion plans as well as the construction of other amenities that were damaged by typhoon Odette on December 16, 2022.

Regardless, Bautista said business is improving with the resort’s charm to attract mostly family vacationers from the city and other parts of the country.

“We want to position ourselves ahead so we can get a good slice of the local and foreign markets when they all fully return,” he said explaining further that the resort will soon add 12 more rooms, from the existing 17 room accommodation, including the secluded type villas.

Club Serena, is part of the growing AppleOne Group’s hotel properties, namely, the soon-to-open, The Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort in Punta Engaño, Mactan Island, and Diamond Suites and Residences located in Cebu City.

Bautista said the resort, or Moalboal as a destination is now seeing the effects of “revenge spending” through travel tourism. With exclusive 17 rooms Club Serena, sometimes turn down bookings, particularly during weekends.

Its spacious resort property, and generous room spaces, and strict implementation of health protocols serve as the advantage in today’s change in travel behavior, where outdoor amenities become the top consideration among tourists across nationalities.

Coming from the two-year tourism plunge, coupled with the devastation of typhoon Odette, Bautista said Moalboal, is slowly recovering while continuously rebuilding.

Club Serena, in particular, is rebuilding, renovating, and expanding at the same time.

“We are glad of the progress that we are seeing, now that tourism activities are back. We are hoping for a sustained recovery moving forward,” Bautista added.