Cebu Marriott to undergo another major renovation

CEBU, Philippines - In its bid to get ahead in competition, Cebu City Marriott Hotel will undergo another major  renovation next year, to keep up with the changing preference and requirements of foreign and local hotel guests.

However, before the hotel’s 299 rooms go under renovation, Cebu Marriott general manager Patrick Carroll said that the hotel will also be launching a re-designed logo to refresh the hotel’s brand.

Carroll said that although the hotel’s occupancy rate remained high despite the two calamities that hit the country last year, that somehow threatened the coming of local corporate and foreign leisure guests, the well-known international hotel chain developed by the Ayala Group is feeling the effects of the brewing competition among City hotels within the Cebu metropolis.

He said the hotel has to catch up and address the changing needs of the guests, including the sophisticated requirements of the growing local and foreign MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibit) markets.

Part of the next year’s major renovation plan is to convert majority of  the hotel’s operational equipment and facilities to environment friendly functions, to lessen operational costs as well as embrace the green preferences of corporate and individual guests.

Carroll admitted that Marriott’s reputable global name, and its strategic location at the heart of Cebu Business Park, has given the hotel an upper-hand in the tough competition. However, this does not stop the hotel from giving the “best” experience for its guests through constant upgrades.

Last year, the hotel posted an average occupancy rate of 75 percent, guests’ profile led by the local corporate market, Korean and travelers from the United States.

During the latter part of last year, the hotel registered higher occupancy rate as the hotel enjoyed the influx of foreign media guests, and relief operation teams helping the disaster-hit areas in Bohol and Tacloban, as well as in Northern Cebu. (FREEMAN)