Parklane Hotel sees high bookings until year end

CEBU, Philippines – Contrary to the general projection of a tourism crisis, one of Cebu's premier business hotels, Cebu Parklane International Hotel sees a brisk business ahead with high bookings up to December this year.

Notwithstanding, the 'perceived" negative effect brought about by the recent hostage taking incident, the market has quickly recovered, while Cebu hardly felt the downturn effects, said Cebu Parklane International Hotel general manager Cenelyn Maguilimotan.

In fact, Parklane registered a 64 percent occupancy rate in August, versus the 55 percent recorded in the same month last year.

"September is looking good, and even in the remaining months for the year, especially by December, in both accommodation and function [events] bookings," she said.

The local and corporate market have surprisingly pushed up the hotel's business, although Maguilimotan admitted that there was a slight "shake-up" immediately after the in-cident, but Parklane, as a business hotel had not been severely affected.

Like other hotel and resort players in Cebu, she believes that business for tourism and hotel accommodation is still healthy and is growing healthier for the rest of the year, while the global economy is starting to make progress.

Compared to its average occupancy last year, the performance and projection (based on bookings) this year is far much better, saying the global recession indeed had affected the hotel's performance.

Cebu Parklane, a 241-room hotel located adjacent to the Cebu Business Park (CBP) is banking on its improved services, and incentive alliances, such as its recently partner-ship with credit card issuer VISA and UnionBank.

In this special package, Parklane will have the opportunity to take advantage of the worldwide VISA credit card users as members, and in turn get perks, and incentives from the hotel's accommodation, food and beverage, among others.

"But, I believe we are going to hit beyond target. Business is good [so far]," she said.

Unthreatened by the opening of more business hotels within the city, including the upcoming opening of nearby boutique hotel, condo-tel, among others, Maguilimotan said Parklane has already proved its worth and have already established a strong clientele base, in both local and foreign markets.

The hotel also is very active in promoting Cebu as a leading destination for the emerging MICE or meetings, incentives conventions and exhibition market, she said.

Manguilimotan, who also sits as the board of director for Hotel, Resorts, and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) said given the right support from the new government.  (FREEMAN)