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Philippines

Pasig, Makati hotels enjoy high occupancy
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: Rose Marie dela Cruz
Date: 2006-10-30
 
Not since the tourism boom of the early 90’s have hotels in Pasig and Makati City been experiencing occupancy rates from 83 to 90 percent and have been realizing revenue per available room (PAR) of R3,500 per day to as high as R4,250 per day for Edsa Shangri-La. By contrast, hotels in the bay area are charging only PAR of R2,200 per day.


"Tourism is booming and average stay in hotels is not just overnight or weekend but for two weeks or more. This is because of the boom in call centers which bring in foreign trainers that stay here for long and the big contribution from medical tourism," said Bobby Horrigan, general manager of Discovery Suites.

Add to that a new growth area, the medical transcription industry which is now attracting many companies in the US to locate in the Philippines —- bringing in not just investors but also trainers who stay long in the country because of the Filipino’s proficiency in the English language. (Other business process outsourcing industries emerging in the country are legal transcription and transcription requirements in other fields).

The call center industry which started five years ago continues its growth momentum reaching a current level of 500,000 agent seats, bringing in 200,000 or more foreign trainers who stay for at least two months, Horrigan said.

Most of the call centers are located in Pasig City or Makati City, which is why hotels in these areas are enjoying stable earnings from the stay of these foreign trainers.

"Two years ago there was hardly any accommodation for patients undergoing treatment in the Philippines. But now, we see them book in advance even before their scheduled operation or treatment and soon after they check out of the hospital and stay with us for an average of two weeks and sometimes as long as three months," Horrigan said.

Because of these encouraging developments, Discovery Suites and other posh hotels invest heavily in upgrading their facilities to ensure that their visitors would continue to enjoy and extend their stay even more.

Discovery Suites spent several million pesos for the gym and spa called Terra with state of the art equipment for gym and the latest massage styles including crystal treatment and sports scrub.

Discovery Suites in Pasig has 220 suites (all rooms are called suites because they all have kitchenettes, dining and living rooms) of which 98 percent is occupied, Horrigan said.

In its latest promo, guests who sign up for Lifestyle Plus may avail of a complimentary stay in a Junior Suite or a free overnight accommodation at Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay, food and beverage discounts at the new Restaurant 5 and Restaurant Verbena, and a host of other benefits for only R6,800.
 

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