Int’l hotel chain acquires stake in Mactan resort

CEBU, Philippines - International hotel chain Sàv Hospitality Limited has acquired 40 percent ownership of the 6.5 hectare Pacific Cebu Resort in Mactan Island, Cebu.

The hotel management brand of Hong Kong’s publicly-listed Chuang's Consortium International Limited, bought 40 percent stake of the resort from a previous Japanese owner and the FF Cruz Group.

In an interview with Sàv Hospitality group general manager George Wang, he said that the promising tourism business in the Philippines prompted the company to do acquisition and has allocated a multi-million budget for the resort’s renovation.

Known as an exclusive sanctuary for diving enthusiasts, Pacific Cebu Resort, located at Subabasbas, Lapu-Lapu City, is just one of the few beach properties in Mactan that has caught the interest of international capitalists.

The company, which has four hotel and resort properties all over Asia, has completed 40 percent of the first phase of renovation works, however it continues to welcome guests.

Pacific Cebu Resort is partly an exclusive resort facility for professional divers, most of whom are Japanese. It has been operating for 20 years.

Sàv Hospitality officially took over the management of the 135-room resort early this year. Wang said they are opening possibilities to invest more on hotel and resort business in the Philippines.

Noting the untapped potential of the property, Sàv Hospitality Limited decided to invest in the resort in 2013. After assuming management rights, the company conducted a series of extensive renovations to upgrade rooms and other facilities -- a transformation that now offers guests an exciting new hospitality experience.

Reinforcing the resort's edge as being popularly known as the "divers' paradise", Wang said the company will not only spend on upgrading the entire facility of the resort, but also improve the one-stop-shop diving facilities, including the establishment of "training the trainors" for divers.

The PADI Gold Palm Diving Center welcomes guests to explore the natural wonders of the Pacific Ocean with one-stop dive training services and facilities, including a private diving pool.

Wang has seen the tremendous potential for Cebu to attract more diving enthusiasts from all over the world. (FREEMAN)