Developers told: Highlight Cebu’s history and culture

CEBU, Philippines — Capitalizing on Cebu's strong tourism momentum, hotel operators are told to upgrade their facilities while highlighting the hotels' historical and cultural characteristics.

"Developers should leverage on Cebu’s rich history," this is recommendation released by consultancy firm Colliers International Philippines, as it noted the lack of historical and cultural highlighting among Cebu's accommodation facilities.

According to Colliers, Cebu should enhance its experiential value, as this plays a major role in ensuring historic hotels’ success.

This strategy should attract the more affluent travelers that are willing to spend more for unique guest experience.

Colliers also believes that developers should explore other historical structures in Cebu City, Mactan, and Mandaue that could be redeveloped into hotels and other accommodation facilities.

To entice more investors to redevelop historical buildings, both local and national governments should tout an attractive set of incentives to potential developers.

Thriving commercial activities and attractive beaches make Cebu a popular business and leisure destination, overstretching the capacity of its airport.

From only 2.1 million passengers in 2000, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) started to accommodate over 5 million passengers beginning 2010. (FREEMAN)