Shangri-La Mactan boosts offering for local market

CEBU, Philippines - Shangri-La's Mactan Resort & Spa is beefing up its domestic market offerings after noting a significant increase of local bookings in the last few months.

The resort's general manager Rene D. Egle announced that the 530-room premium leisure facility is currently drawing up attractive promotional products and services that will appeal to the local or domestic market.

Local bookings, including those guests from out-of-town such as Manila, are closely competing with the Koreans as the top clients, followed by other foreign nationalities like Japanese, Americans, and Europeans, among others.

According to Egle, the resort is capitalizing on this development, and this should be complemented with right products and services that will suit the tastes, whims of Cebuanos, and Filipinos in general.

"We intend to drive local market quite substantially," said Egle adding that Shangri-La's activities [and offerings] over the next few months will highlight more of Cebu's culture, food, heritage, and even promoting locally-produced products.

The international chain will soon launch its "chocolate afternoon tea" in in partnership with Cebu's very own, The Chocolate Chamber (TCC). Egle also mentioned the introduction of "Chocolate Martinis" as one of the teasers in incorporating local tradition to the resort's internationally-acclaimed offerings.

A series of local-flavored events will be launched in the coming months. There will be activities for local fashion designers, local music, recognition of Cebuano street artists, and auctions showcasing local visual arts.

Egle said Cebu is rich in culture, heritage and intriguing traditions that most of them are hidden and need to be revived and be placed in the frontier of tourism offerings.

Egle believes that the improving purchasing power of Filipinos is one of the driving factors behind the brisk booking performance from local clientele.

At present, Shangri-La's Mactan is running at an average of 80 percent occupancy since the start of the year, said Albert Lafuente, the resort's director for sales and marketing.

"But we have been very full since February 6 due to Lunar New Year peak travel season," added Lafuente. (FREEMAN)