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DESPITE
the present gloom in economics worldwide, investors are
going ahead with their plans to increase hotel and
hospital rooms, a decision the government said shows
continuing investor confidence in the country.
These
tourism sector investors have already under development
over P9.1 billion in projects injected during the first
half of the year. Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said
these government-registered projects, once completed,
will raise domestic supply of hotel rooms by another
1,177 units.
“These
projects confirm the stark investor confidence that the
country continuously enjoys. We fully advocate immediate
action on said projects to further boost the economy,”
said Durano in a statement.
The
Department of Tourism has reported these projects
include the LKY Hotel (formerly Mayon Hotel) in Legazpi
City, Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa in
Lapu-Lapu City, Microtel Inns and Suites in Cabanatuan,
Park Bed & Breakfast Hotel & Restaurant in Pasay, Hotel
Kimikarlai in Cagayan de Oro; ABC Apartel in Angeles
City, Hotel Vida Resort Complex in Pampanga, Paseo
Premiere Hotel in Laguna, Bahia de Baler Garden Resort
in Aurora, Country Inn Hotel and Restaurant in Cagayan
de Oro, Manila Ocean Park and the Sabin Resorts and
Development Corp. in Lapu-lapu.
Among
those expanding their infrastructure are Shangri-La
Mactan in Cebu and the Eastbay Arts Recreational Tourism
Zone in Rizal; while the Peninsula Manila will modernize
its facilities.
Ma.
Victoria Jasmin, head of the department’s Tourism
Investments Promotions Group, said the construction of
these ventures has generated jobs and their completion
is expected to generate more jobs “as the tourism
industry remains one of the biggest employment resources
in the country.”
In the
medical tourism segment, Medical City announced it will
add 250 more hospital rooms.
Board of
Investments-approved investments are eligible for income
tax holidays of 4 to 6 years, and duty-free importation
of selected capital equipment for their operations. |
