MEGAWORLD Corp., the property development firm of businessman Andrew Tan, said it will help boost the local food tourism in Cebu with its food strip in Mactan Newtown that resembles that of Singapore’s hawker center.
“With the growing business-process outsourcing population, and soon residential population as well as the influx of tourists because of its close access to hotels and resorts, Mactan Newtown is expected to experience growing commercial and retail demand. Thus, we are continuously expanding our food and retail offerings to respond to the anticipated market demand,” said Noli Hernandez, president, Megaworld Cebu Properties Inc.
The food strip is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and with a 350-person seating capacity, crowds can have grilled items from stalls which will offer Filipino favorites like skewered chicken, fish, shrimp and Cebu’s chorizo.
Among the features of Mactan Alfresco is the large communal outdoor grill or ihawan.
Among the dining establishments already open are Choobi Choobi, Orange Karenderia, Conching’s, Meximama, Cebu’s Original Lechon Belly, Ana’s Lechon and Ayer’s Lechon.
Also on the horizon for Mactan Alfresco are the lechon pits where guests can soon experience lechon roasting on the premises.
“The Mactan Alfresco aims to bring the best of Cebuano cuisine to locals and tourists alike, helping to expand the food-tourism industry in Mactan. With a mix of establishments that offers dishes that Cebu is famous for and the communal grill where you can see your food being cooked, Mactan Alfresco’s dining experience will be a feast for the senses,” said Kevin Tan, the company’s first vice president and head of commercial division.
The Mactan Alfresco is near the main entrance of Mactan Newtown, the country’s first township with its own beachfront in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. Megaworld has allocated P30 billion to develop the township within the next five years.
Among the features of Cebu township is the development of its 11-hectare beachfront property, which will become a beach club as well as boutique and resort hotels in which residential condominiums residents and BPO companies will have access to.
There are 10 luxury residential towers on the pipeline, at least seven office towers, and five business and leisure hotels, including the 18-story The Mactan Belmont Luxury Hotel and 18-story Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown.