Astoria Palawan is pursuing a P650-million expansion program on prospects of a 20-percent growth in the occupancy rate in Palawan province in the next three years.
Parent Astoria Hotels & Resorts also expects an increase in the number of tourists visiting Puerto Princesa.
Astoria Hotels chief operating officer Vivian Ng said the company saw the need to further upgrade the facilities of Astoria Palawan in order to take advantage of the growth in tourist arrivals in Puerto Princesa.
“In the next three years, our growth drivers will be the day-tour packages, the MICE (meetings, incentives, conference and exhibitions) market, European leisure travelers and weekend family staycations. We are hoping to increase occupancy by 20 percent across the board by addressing these different market segments and targeting market by seasonal promotions,” Ng said.
Astoria Hotels is bullish on the tourism prospects of Puerto Princesa, especially with development projects being implemented by the national and local governments in the area.
These include the completion of the Puerto Princesa International Airport, the upgrade of the seaport that will attract more international cruise ships, the widening of the city roads to six lanes, and a street lighting project so tourists can continue to enjoy the city even at night.
In 2018, around 1.8 million tourists visited Palawan, up 21 percent from 2017. The bulk of the 1.27 million tourists went to Puerto Princesa.
The city’s main attraction is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, adjudged as one of the new “Seven Wonders of the World.”
Astoria Palawan said part of the P650-million investment would go to the construction of a new 52-room building with a private pool, a children’s playroom and a laundry room for guests.
Astoria Palawan will also upgrade the leisure amenities to promote snorkeling along the sandbar and around the resort, as well as launch eco-cultural activities.
It will unveil a new seafood restaurant to be called “The Habitat,” and a new infinity pool.