Megaworld Corp’s hospitality arm has enlisted France’s Accor to operate and franchise selected properties as the Philippine developer accelerates expansion of its home-grown hotel portfolio.
Belmont Hotel Mactan, inside Megaworld’s 30-hectare Mactan Newtown township in Cebu, will be rebranded as Mercure Mactan Cebu later this year, the companies said.
Mercure is one of more than 40 flags in Accor’s global stable of 5,600 hotels.
“We aim to redefine Cebu’s tourism landscape by combining our local expertise with Accor’s global leadership,” Cleofe Albiso, managing director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, told reporters. “Mercure Mactan Cebu will play a pivotal role in driving tourism growth and stimulating the local economy.”
Accor’s loyalty programme, ALL, will be introduced at the rebranded property, allowing guests to earn points and perks. Additional Megaworld hotels may be folded into Accor systems over time, Albiso said, without disclosing financial terms.
Andrew Langdon, Accor’s chief development officer for Asia, said the tie-up supports the group’s strategy of expanding premium, mid-scale and economy brands in “sought-after destinations” across the region.
“Cebu is fast emerging as a preferred destination for domestic and international visitors,” he said. “This locally inspired hotel meets rising demand from leisure and business travellers.”
Megaworld Hotels & Resorts currently operates 13 properties with about 7,000 rooms under brands including Richmonde, Belmont, Savoy and Kingsford.
The division opened the 1,530-room Grand Westside Hotel in Parañaque City last year, the country’s largest by key count.
Seven more hotels are slated to open over the next three years in Palawan, Pampanga, Bacolod and Iloilo, lifting Megaworld’s portfolio to 20 hotels and roughly 9,000 rooms.
Property developer Megaworld, founded by billionaire Andrew Tan, is best known for mixed-use “township” projects that integrate residential, office, retail and hospitality assets.
Business News Asia