By Eddie O. Barrita
CEBU CITY, Feb. 15 (PNA) — The Cebu City Marriott Hotel maintains a rosy outlook for the hotel business this year, projecting a growth of 4.5 percent, an executive said.
Patrick Carroll, the hotel’s general manager, is confident occupancy levels will remain high on the back of the large conventions happening in Cebu, particularly the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) ministerial meetings.
“The momentum is there. We will continue to see growth because of the Mice (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) market and the supposed Apec meetings,” he said.
Carroll said the Ayala-led hotel is already prepared to host Apec guests.
“Fifty rooms are already on hold and we will adjust the number of rooms as we get more information,” he said.
The 299-room business hotel logged an “impressive” seven percent growth last year.
“2014 was the best year after we experienced cancellations due to the calamities in 2013. This hotel continued to attract individual and large group of travelers,” said Carroll.
The rooms accounted for 65 percent of the growth, followed by the food and beverage.
The hotel continues to draw growth from its diverse customer base, primarily the business process outsourcing followed by finance, banking and insurance, among others.
To improve guest experience and hotel service, Carroll said the hotel is spending P5 million for the upgrade of air conditioners and guest rooms starting last January.
Carroll said the 100 Mbps Internet service they offer will continue to attract the younger generation of travelers. (PNA)