Cebu-based real estate and hospitality firm AppleOne Group Inc. has drawn up an aggressive expansion plan to dovetail with the initiatives of Department of Tourism to attract more international visitors to sustain the recovery of the tourism industry—a sector of the economy that was among the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic—and create more jobs.
Based on Department of Tourism’s data, Cebu province saw a jump in the number of local and foreign visitors in 2022 by 205%. It received a total of 2.8 million visitors that year, which is higher by a mile than 902 thousand in 2021.
This year, the tourism department’s conservative estimate of foreign and local arrivals is at 1.9 million, but AppleOne is confident that the actual numbers will surpass the said projection, especially with its aggressive efforts to attract more tourists now that the borders are open, flights are back to normal, and people are on the lookout for the best revenge travel ideas.
AppleOne offers more than just a destination– it serves an experience that satisfies the hunger for relaxation and connection to nature which the world was deprived of at the peak of the pandemic.
“We are in talks with several international luxury brands to help us deliver world class service and convenience in real estate and tourism-related projects that are now under development within and outside our home market of Cebu,” said Ray Manigsaca, president of AppleOne.
“We have identified several areas in other parts of the Visayas and in Mindanao for our future development projects and diversification efforts,” he added.
AppleOne is looking to replicate in other parts of the Visayas and in Mindanao, its brand of luxurious hotels as it aims to embark on partnerships that will uphold the company’s vision.
Manigsaca said the company has engaged Marriott International, an internationally recognized hospitality brand, to ensure that The Residences at Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, which sits along a stretch of white sand beach, offer modern conveniences and 5-star hotel amenities.
Mahi Center, meantime, is AppleOne’s response to the need to advance the information technology industry in Lapu-Lapu City. Mahi Center also offers well-curated retail experiences via a boutique mall, office spaces for IT businesses with direct access to the mall, and a business hotel from global hotel brand Marriott International which will be Fairfield by Marriott Mactan, the first in the country.
“The hotel in Mahi Center is evidence of another strong partnership forged by AppleOne with the world’s largest hotel operator, Marriott International. Mahi Center will be a gateway to a dynamic and vibrant Mactan as it will bring forth world-class experiences and quality accommodations,” he said.
Central Visayas in 2022 welcomed 3.6 million foreign and local tourists, more than triple the 1.2 million recorded in 2021. Cebu accounted for 2.7 million of those visitors in Central Visayas, underscoring its status as one of the premier tourist destinations in the Philippines.
Manigsaca and his wife, Venus, founded AppleOne in Cebu City 12 years ago to diversify their then 17-year-old construction company, VenRay, which focused on building roads and bridges.
