BAGUIO CITY – The interim management of The Manor and Forest Lodge assured concerned stakeholders of more developments that will be introduced in the hotels and convention center as part of the ongoing efforts to attract the influx of tourists to this mountain resort city.
Patrick Gregorio, general manager of Land Co Lifestyle Ventures and interim manager of The Manor and Forest Lodge, said that the initial developments in the hotels and convention center will be realized in the next three to six months with emphasis on the upgrading of the facilities, including the hotel rooms, convention area and additional suite rooms, pursuant to the mandate given to the company by its principal, Manuel V. Pangilinan, to take care of the people and ensure the uninterrupted business operations of the said establishments.
Gregorio, who has been in the tourism business over the past 20 years managing various 5-star hotels in the different parts of the country, said that he will bring to the hotels and convention center his vast experience in managing the facilities to contribute in enticing foreign and domestic tourists to consider Baguio as their preferred tourist destination.
The Pangilinan-owned company was tapped by the State-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to serve as the interim management of The Manor, Forest Lodge and the CAP John Hay trade and Cultural Center for an initial period of one year extendible for another two years while the State corporation is working on the transition for a long-term agreement with interested companies.
The interim manager claimed that the company is looking forward for a long-term agreement with the BCDA for the management of the said facilities as it will bring to John Hay the company’s vast experience in managing successful establishments that it had operated and managed in the past for the betterment of the local tourism industry.
Gregorio emphasized that the company took over the hotels with full occupancy and that there were no cancellations of bookings as of to date which indicates the confidence of their clients to the capability of the interim management to take care of their needs while staying in the hotels and catering to the convention requirements of groups and corporate clients.
Last year, the Manor and Forest Lodge were conferred their 5-star status being among the few accommodation establishments in the city that were able to reach the said status.
He said that the company will do its best to manage the hotels and the convention center pursuant to the terms and conditions with its interim management agreement with BCDA but what is important is that it will work pursuant to the mandate of its principal who wants to ensure the sustained upliftment of the local tourism industry even in a temporary basis while awaiting the outcome of the processes that will be undertaken for the desired long-term agreement for the management of the said facilities.
Gregorio said that the company will continue to provide the needed updates to the public for them to be fully aware of the latest developments that will be undertaken in the facilities under the interim management for the sake of transparency and in support to the ongoing efforts to boost the local tourism industry. By Dexter A. See
