IRENE SINO CRUZ
As Cebu slowly goes into the new normal, the hotel industry in Cebu is slowly getting back to the pre-pandemic numbers.
Ms. Gwen Dela Cruz, Seda Ayala Center Cebu general manager, sees bright prospects for the hotel sector in Cebu since the Philippines is now open to foreign tourists.
In fact, Seda Ayala Center Cebu is now enjoying good occupancy. “Travel is definitely back. Starting next week, there will be 11 flights a day coming from Korea,” Ms. Dela Cruz said.
She noted that Jeju Air, Jin Air and Korean Air will already be operating starting next week.
“Our average occupancy rate is above 50 percent. We are averaging 150 rooms. This week, our occupancy rate is 60 percent,” Ms. Dela Cruz added. Seda Ayala Center Cebu has 301 rooms.
“There’s a feeling that 2019 is coming back,” she pointed out.
Cebu, including the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu, is among the most visited areas in the Philippines. In 2019, Cebu City recorded 2.86 million foreign tourists with Lapu-Lapu City had 1.83 million and Mandaue City had 856,820 foreign tourists. On the other hand, Santa Fe in Bantayan Island had 168,519 and Cordova had 165,291.
With the Philippines now open to foreign tourists, foreign tourists are expected to be coming back to the country.
The general manager of Seda Ayala Center Cebu disclosed that the demand for their function rooms is also high and that there are even days that they are fully booked. The hotel’s function rooms are being used for weddings and parties as well as by manpower agencies that have started interviewing applicants.
Meanwhile, the hotel has reopened its Club Lounge, which is for the exclusive use of premium guests who are staying at the Club rooms and suites.
Seda Ayala Center Cebu marketing communications officer Gia Mayola
“The Club Lounge is all about exclusivity. Here, our guests can enjoy a chic ambience and a beautiful city view to match—it’s an unparalleled advantage that delivers a seamless Seda experience,” Seda Ayala Center Cebu marketing communications officer Gia Mayola.
The Club Lounge is located at the 12th Floor and is open from 6:00am to 9:00pm daily. It serves daily Buffet Breakfast from 6:00 a.m to 10 a.m; Afternoon Tea and Coffee from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and heavy Evening Cocktails from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Ms. Dela Cruz stressed that for the buffet breakfast, guests have a choice of healthy items like organic food as well as Filipino favorites such as chorizo and dried danggit. During the afternoon tea, coffee, scones and cakes are available.
For guests who appreciate the extra level of convenience and a more personalized service, the Club Lounge offers the following benefits during their stay.
Ms. Gwen Dela Cruz, Seda Ayala Center Cebu general manager
“Seda Ayala Center Cebu takes pride in serving guests in the exclusive environment of the Club Lounge. All Club Lounge benefits are exclusive for our registered Club and Suite guests,” according to Ms. Dela Cruz
The guests, who also enjoy free Wifi, can book the Club Lounge meeting room for two-hours if they wanted to hold a meeting in private. While the use of the meeting room is free, the hotel charges P1,000 for non-club guests who joins guests in the lounge.
The RMA News Team with Seda Ayala Center Cebu Executives
RMA News Founder & President Mr. Robby M. Alugar
Ms. Dela Cruz also maintained that with the Safe at Seda campaign, the hotel continues to maintain safety measures such as wearing of masks and having sanitizers in the rooms.
