Davao's landmark hotel upgrades facilities for millennial market

DAVAO CITY – One of this city’s old landmark hotels is catching up with developments in hotel and high-rise residential sectors by refurbishing old facilities to cater to the millennial market

Built in 1948, the Apo View Hotel turned 70 years old this year and still stands amid close competition from newly-built and all-modern hotels in Davao.

Cesar Canabal, the General Manager of Apo View Hotel, said the management has added 25 new rooms for its growing occupancy rate, while the hotel’s 36 old rooms are up for renovation as "themed-rooms" to attract millennial travelers.

Canabal said the hotel chose themed-rooms because their guests are mostly between the age of 25 and 45 years old. He said guests are now conscious of the conditions of the rooms and would prefer new or renovated rooms.

"That is why we have to improve our facilities to meet the demand of our visitors," he said.

Renovations, which include replacing furniture pieces, walls and toilets, are expected for completion next year, he said.

Canabal said 25 new rooms have been completed, and the management is also in the thick of upgrading the hotel pool and bar to the tune of PHP15 million. The management has allotted PHP140 million for the overall improvement of hotel facilities.

Last year, the hotel enjoyed a 65 percent average occupancy rate from 30 to 40 percent two years ago.

This week, Canabal said the hotel has 85 percent occupancy rate because of the Kadayawan Festival.

Canabal said the management is aiming to get a five-star classification by the time all renovations are completed. It is also aiming to get a Halal accreditation.

Mindanaoans remain to be the hotel’s top market, accounting for 80 percent of the hotel occupancy rate, while only 10 percent are foreigners.

Apo View is now under a new management – the Global Comfort Group Corporation (GCGC). It has a total of 182 rooms.

Canabal said that as the city is positioning as a MICE (meetings incentives convention and exhibit) destination, Apo View is eyeing to add more rooms in 2019 or 2020.

He said GCGC is also looking for other areas for expansion of their other brands--Eurotel and ICON.

"In Davao City, we are in the process of negotiating about 10 lots for our future projects on hotel construction," he added. (Lilian C. Mellejor and Digna D. Banzon/PNA)