Hoteliers woo Cebuanos

In keeping with the commitment to continue their respective campaign for domestic tourism, three distinct properties were recently actively promoted in Cebu.

First to visit our shores was Club Panoly Resort president and CEO James Lau, who hosted a tropical island reception at the sprawling gardens of the Cebu Waterfront Hotel with the members of the business and travel sectors in attendance.

With refreshing drinks on their hands and dressed in colorful attire, guests enjoyed an enchanting visual tour of the club and its ongoing expansion and development program which will include a four-story well-thought-out structure that will totally blend in with their surroundings. As a highlight of the evening several overnight stays at Boracay’s premier resort were raffled off.

Another welcome visitor was Art Boncato, Jr., director of sales and marketing of the Marco Polo Hotel in Davao, who was beaming with pride when he greeted colleagues in the tourism and travel industry during intimate cocktails at the newly opened Tequila Joe‚’s at the Ayala Entertainment Center.

He had every reason to be, for he was promoting a true world-class hotel that is known for its warm hospitality and impeccable service amid classic elegant appointments.

"Though it may be located at the center of the city’s commercial and business district, Marco Polo with its 245 exquisitely-designed suites and rooms, offers the breathtaking views of Mount Apo and the Gulf of Davao. It is simply the perfect haven for all pursuits–from the tranquil to the adventurous," Art declares.

The sales and marketing team of the Hyatt Regency Manila, composed of its director of marketing Carmela Bocanegra and ably assisted by its associate director of sales Livia Guzman and its sales manager Alma Camalig, hosted a cocktail reception at the poolside area of the Cebu Marriott Hotel where they shared some great news.

The launch of the promotional hotel rates exclusively for Cebu residents and the appointment of S.W. International as their general sales agent in the island was headed by workaholic and ever-efficient Janet Alfafara. "We will regularly update our partners in travel with what’s the latest in the world of Hyatt in line with the current thrust of the Department of Tourism," says Janet. This pronouncement brought smiles to Tourism regional director Dawnie Roa, tour specialists Maris Araneta, Marisol Baria of Baron Travel, Sheila Colmenares of Leisure Travel and frequent Manila travelers Swedish Honorary Consul Chiling Sala and wife Susan and British Consul Moya and Anthony Jackson.

Out-of-towners continue to visit our city. We like you even more for doing so.

And to cap our week of travel and tourism-related affairs, Expeditions, the Cebu-based travel publication chose to celebrate its appreciation party in style at the nothing-like-it Cowrie Cove of the multi-awarded Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort. "No other venue would do," claimed editor-in-chief Bimbo Gapud.

Together with the editorial team, composed of Evert Don Canada and Chuck Vosotros, the hosts were distinctly dignified in their suits.

The invitation stated island formal attire requested and the invitees readily obliged–ladies in long evening gowns and gentlemen in dark colored suits.

Making a statement in black were Anne Chan and Ella Lim of Northwest Airlines, June Heights Uy of Saudi Arabian Airlines and Cathay Pacific’s Connie Cimafranca. Delmar Travel’s Marilou Ordoñez opted for a simple classic-cut with silk scarf to match. Steve Alfafara lived up to his being chosen as one of Cebu’s best-dressed gentlemen.

Cowrie Cove, known for its seafood gourmet buffet, outdid itself that evening with a sumptuous spread of salads, prawns, and lobsters and a variety of mouth-watering desserts and a selection of the finest white and red wines. This certainly met more than just the approval of GM Ben Bousnina and Cebu’s loss, now Makati Shangri-La Hotel GM Richard Riley, who was in town.