Travel and accommodations in urban Cities

BUSINESS CLASS hotels are subjected to various evolutions starting from designs, locations and guests mix. Hotels in urban cities are built according to the aesthetics of their locations and are now regenerating in commercial mall surroundings with multiple functionality. New to the eyes are different architectural concept and green building features as well as integration to shopping centers cut off from nearby residential areas.
Staying in a hotel during business trips means much more than a mere necessity and hotels are now becoming image benchmarks for corporate decision makers.


Looking at today’s scenario, business class hotels are popping up along the Ortigas financial center in Mandaluyong, the Fort in Taguig, Madrigal Business Park in Alabang and up to the central business district of Ayala Center in Cebu. Soon, the Centrio Mall in Cagayan de Oro will open their Kukun brand of the Ayala chain of business class hotels not withstanding their other property at the Abreeza in Davao City which has a similar development.

Big property developers like Robinson Land of the Gokongwei Summit group have repositioned their Go Hotels in many major cities as the choice business class accommodations with their Cebu Pacific Air providing the carriage. Mr. Tony Fernandez’s Air Asia has embarked on the Tune Hotel concept of no frills business class hotels. Fil-Invests Land recently opened last October their Quests Hotel at the Archbishop Reyes corner Cebu Business Park intersection in Cebu City.
Another Radisson Blue of SM Prime is fast taking shape at the former Lanang Golf Club along J. P. Laurel Street in Davao.

We have to take notice of the business strives and as a Cagayanon’s should be proud of the fate accomplished by the Lim Ket Kai Group, in Cagayan de Oro City with a 224 rooms, Arch. Antonio Gozar’s glass inspired tower. Lim Ket Kai Hotel is a masterpiece design similar to his other hotel buildings creation in Hongkong and China. The hotel will open ahead of the Zealep – Riviera Hotel which will be managed by Genesis Hotels and Resorts of Señor Miguel Cerqueda of the Intercontinental and Manila Hotel legend. In 2004, this writer opened the resort division of the Genesis Hotels in Northern Luzon and when

Mr. Cerqueda checks in, it’s a celebration in the hospitality business.
A business class hotel needs to focus in running their properties in pristine conditions and operating using the best practices and industry standards. All activities in a business class surroundings needs to be directed at enhancing the guests experience and increasing the value of the properties through a sincere customers relations and great marketing.

Pryce Plaza of the property developer, Pryce Corporation, the first and only business class hotel in Northern Mindanao as of current date have survived the industry challenge and is now moving towards the all suites category envisioned by the owners.

What are the property owner’s expectations? Business class hotels are investment vehicles that allow shareholders to select professionally managed hospitality companies to manage the business and increase the property asset values. Experienced hospitality companies stay ahead of the curve and are familiar with the consumers’ trend. Developers are warned to stay away from direct management involvement as stakeholders taste and preferences may not be what customers want?

The business mix to bolster revenue determines the occupancy success. What are the expected customer’s age brackets? Their nationalities and demographics? What is in store for the hotel guests? Is it the comfort or the hardness of the bed? Are Wi-Fi facilities accessible to guests work stations and gadgets? Does the hotel provide fast breakfast services for guest’s convenience? Are the fitness centers in place?

There are many other factors in travel and accommodations that adds to business class ambiance, like airline bookings and confirmation through the web using debit accounts. Express check-in and checkout systems through credit card pre-swiping and clearing? Or maybe, a reliable concierge services for errands and the efficiency to provide top of the line transportations requests? Some properties have introduced their club membership that adds perks and reduced rates to regular clients.

Travel and tourism are influence by good local economics and business success that adds income to professionals and entrepreneurs alike. Young pharmaceutical executives who earns sales commissions from their marketing transactions or management consultants in the field of technologies or human resources servicing their out of town clients. These executive agrupations belongs to the business class hotels guests’ demographics and are the reliable partners in the business.
Know where they are coming from with their preferences and lifestyles and you have a guaranteed occupancy figures? For feedback, please email sbeverage@rocketmail.com.

Ped T. Quiamjot is one of the brilliant columnists of a local newspaper in Cagayan de Oro City and currently the General Manager of Pryce Plaza Hotel Cagayan de Oro. His column talks on various issues and concerns affecting the business sector and tourism industry.