HRRAC calls for more hotel projects in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — Brushing competition aside, the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) is encouraging capitalists to build more hotel rooms in Cebu.

“We welcome more rooms to support the healthy tourism arrivals. It would be nice to have new players across market segments,” said HRRAC president Carlo Suarez.

Regardless of accommodation classes, Cebu is now on an all-year-round high occupancy level. Thus, inviting more hotel project is crucial to sustain the health of Cebu’s tourism industry.

Cebu’s hospitality sector, he said now does not have seasonal peaks and lows, but sustained high has been experienced in the recent months, particularly after the opening of the new airport terminal last July this year.

Most HRRAC’s members are enjoying an average of 80 percent monthly occupancy, Suarez reported.

In fact, length of stay among guests in Cebu have also improved, from the usual two nights stay, guests now extend their stay to at least three to four nights.

Aside from the opening of the world-class airport, Cebu’s occupancy high is also attributed to the active stance of stakeholders to improve Cebu product offerings, such as extended experiential farm tourism, eco-tourism, among others.

Meanwhile, existing hoteliers are also trying their best to add more rooms and improve in-house hotel offerings to keep up with the competition, with other destinations.