Plantation Bay expands sports tourism offering

CEBU, Philippines - Triple A resort Plantation Bay Resort and Spa has expanded its array of water and in-house sports facilities, noting the increasing demand for these kinds of activities both from local and foreign tourists.

In an interview with Plantation Bay communications manager Johannah Marie Patalinjug, she said that aside from its existing sports activities offered as value-added services inside the resort, it has expanded its choices such as the Stand-Up-Paddle (SUP) Yoga and SUP water sport.

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa is one of the most active resorts in Cebu that promotes Sports Tourism.

According to Patalinjug, the resorts’ various sports activities drive its occupancy rate, in fact this month, which is considered as lean month for the tourism industry, the resort is running at an average of 50 percent.

She added that although the recent earthquake that hit the Visayas, especially Bohol, has affected the occupancy rate of the resort, the local guests who are sports enthusiasts helped to sustain the considerable occupancy rate despite the external tourism challenges.

Plantation Bay has been a staunch supporter of the Lapu-Lapu City Government’s promotion on sports tourism. It hosted big international sports events such as the Davis Cup.

Also, Patalinjug said that the 17-year-old resort is investing to upgrade some of its physical facilities and amenities including the new extension to the Kilimanjaro Kafe, which can now accommodate up to 200 people.

With a lot of new resorts opening on the island, Patalinjug said Plantation Bay has to cope with the competition, and that it is committed to sustain the resorts’ ambiance by constantly upgrading its facilities.

“We are constantly creating new activities that would bring in fun and excitement,” she said.

While the Korean nationals still lead the foreign guests profile of the resort, she said that a growing number of Japanese, as well as Russians are coming in.

Domestic guests also are increasing, she added.

She mentioned that Russian guests, who are known as big spenders, next to Japanese, are the longest staying guests. In fact, the resort is getting long staying Russian guests who stayed in the resort for a month or two, while enrolling their children to learn English language here.

“This is a promising market. Russians are high spenders and long-staying guests,” she said.

Russian nationals arrival to Cebu increased by 32.53 percent, based on the latest record from the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Records from the Department of Tourism (DOT) showed an increase of 32.53 percent or 21,736 in Russian arrivals in August.

The 12-hectare resort, owned by a Cebuano, is already full for the holidays beginning December 26 to January 2 next year.— (FREEMAN)