Strategically located within the master-planned Mactan Newtown township, Mercure Mactan Cebu underscores Cebu’s rising profile as a competitive MICE and leisure destination in Southeast Asia, where accessibility, integrated developments, and global hospitality brands converge.

As Cebu hosts tourism leaders from across ASEAN and beyond, the hotel forms part of the broader destination showcase mounted by the Mactan Newtown community, reinforcing investor confidence in the township’s long-term tourism and commercial viability.

Design, Identity, and Destination Appeal

Mercure Mactan Cebu blends international standards with strong local identity. Its interiors draw inspiration from Mactan’s coastal environment—waves, coral reefs, and natural textures—anchored by a metal art installation honoring national hero Datu Lapu-Lapu, reflecting heritage and place-based storytelling.

Guest rooms continue this narrative through curated artworks and design accents inspired by everyday Cebuano life, balancing cultural depth with the comfort expected by business and leisure travelers.

Culinary, Community, and Wellness Integration

Pulô, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, highlights Cebuano and Filipino heritage dishes such as SuTuKil, Balbacua, Sizzling Kansi, and Tinola sa Itom, alongside international offerings—strengthening the hotel’s appeal as a destination dining venue.

Beyond hospitality, Mercure Mactan Cebu supports inclusive local growth through its Likha Corner, a curated retail space featuring products from Cebu-based entrepreneurs, including coffee, artisan fashion, sustainable snacks, and visual art.

Wellness offerings include a spa on the 20th floor specializing in traditional Hilot treatments, adding a culturally rooted recovery experience for business travelers and delegates.

Strategic Location and Institutional Backing

Located just 15 minutes from Mactan-Cebu International Airport and near cultural landmarks such as the Mactan Shrine, the hotel benefits from both historical context and modern township infrastructure—retail, dining, and lifestyle amenities—within walking distance.

Backed by Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, the Philippines’ largest hotel operator, and operated in partnership with Accor under the Mercure brand, the property combines global brand trust with localized execution, supported by the Accor Live Limitless (ALL) ecosystem.

As Cebu takes the regional spotlight during ATF 2026, Mercure Mactan Cebu stands as a case study in how strategic location, integrated developments, and brand partnerships can drive sustained tourism and MICE-led investment growth.

Hallam brings more than 30 years of global hospitality leadership experience, including over two decades with Hilton, to the 347-room waterfront property overlooking Manila Bay. His appointment comes as Conrad Manila strengthens its positioning in the premium business, leisure, and meetings market.

A respected industry leader, Hallam is recognized for his strong commercial acumen, operational excellence, and people-focused leadership. Most recently, he served as general manager of Hilton Singapore Orchard, the brand’s largest hotel in Asia Pacific. He also previously held the role of vice president of sales for Hilton Asia Pacific, where he helped drive regional commercial strategy and strategic partnerships.

“Conrad Manila has been part of my Hilton journey since its earliest chapter, having been involved in the hotel’s opening a decade ago,” Hallam said. “It is a privilege to return as the property marks a milestone year. Together with the team, our focus will be on elevating thoughtful luxury, inspired dining, and meaningful experiences for both business and leisure travelers, while deepening Conrad Manila’s connection to its destination.”

Hallam will be joined by Akshat Sinha, who assumes the role of hotel manager. Sinha has been with Hilton since 2008 and was most recently hotel manager at Conrad Maldives Rangali Island, one of the brand’s flagship resort destinations.

The leadership appointments underscore Conrad Manila’s commitment to continuity, performance, and sustained growth, particularly across its core pillars—corporate travel and meetings, culinary innovation, and guest experience excellence—as the Philippine hospitality sector continues to rebound and evolve.

For more information on Conrad Manila, call +632 8833 9999, visit www.conradmanila.com, or email ConradManila@ConradHotels.com

New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the private operator of the country’s main gateway, said passenger volume reached 52.02 million for the year—the largest annual total in the airport’s history.

December emerged as the busiest month ever for NAIA, with 4.86 million passengers transiting the airport. International travelers totaled 2.367 million, a new monthly high that reflects growing inbound tourism and overseas business travel, while domestic passenger traffic reached 2.495 million, the second-highest monthly volume on record.

The passenger figures cover domestic flights, outbound and returning overseas Filipinos, business travel, and connecting traffic—segments that are critical to trade flows, corporate activity, and the tourism value chain.

For airlines, retailers, logistics providers, and hospitality players, the record traffic translated into higher throughput and stronger demand during peak periods. For the broader economy, rising passenger volumes point to improved connectivity, stronger consumer confidence, and increased cross-border movement of people and goods.

Despite the surge, NNIC said airport operations remained stable during peak travel periods, supported by operational upgrades rolled out over the course of the year.

These included the deployment of biometric immigration e-Gates funded by NNIC, enhancements to passenger processing systems and terminal facilities, and closer coordination among airlines, government agencies, and airport stakeholders.

“Managing higher passenger volumes requires both infrastructure and close coordination,” NNIC said. “The focus has been on improving passenger flow, reducing bottlenecks, and ensuring the airport can handle peak demand more effectively.”

Throughout 2025, NNIC implemented passenger-centric initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, safety, and service quality—factors seen as increasingly important in sustaining tourism growth and supporting business travel competitiveness.

NAIA remains the Philippines’ primary aviation hub for both domestic and international operations. Under the public-private partnership framework, NNIC is responsible for the airport’s operations, maintenance, and modernization, while ownership of the facility remains with the government.

Key industry leaders in attendance included Bernd Schneider, the pioneering General Manager of Novotel Manila and current Cluster General Manager of Raffles & Fairmont Makati; Xavier Cappelut, Vice President of Operations for Accor in Vietnam, Maldives, and the Philippines; Joy De Mesa, Hotel Manager of Novotel Manila Araneta City; and Maria Manlulu-Garcia, Area General Manager for Accor’s Premium, Midscale, and Economy Brands in the Philippines and Cluster General Manager for Novotel & ibis Styles Manila Araneta City. Araneta Group Board Directors Rowell Recinto and John Peter Chick Castelo also attended, along with Quezon City District 3 Councilor Wency Lagumbay and Ivanovich Dmitri Tan Agote, OIC–Assistant Regional Director of the Department of Tourism – National Capital Region.

Reflecting on the hotel’s decade-long journey, Maria Manlulu-Garcia highlighted the property’s significance in shaping the Philippine hospitality landscape, “Over the past 10 years, Novotel Manila has been more than a hotel—it has been a hub for business, tourism, and memorable experiences. Our commitment to service, innovation, and community engagement continues to drive our growth and shape the midscale segment in the Philippines.”

The gala also featured remarks from Xavier Cappelut, who commended the hotel’s consistency and resilience in navigating evolving industry challenges, and from Rowell Recinto, who reflected on the hotel’s early days and strategic milestones. A 13-piece orchestra, led by Musical Director Adonis Tabanda, provided an elegant musical backdrop for the celebration.

The Grand Ballroom was transformed into a sophisticated setting for the evening, with dramatic lighting, crystal chandeliers, and tables adorned with refined centerpieces. The event symbolized not only a celebration of the past but also a commitment to future innovation and service excellence.

Since opening, Novotel Manila Araneta City has contributed significantly to local tourism and business travel, offering contemporary accommodations, conference facilities, and integrated services for both corporate and leisure guests. Its decade-long track record reflects the growing demand for midscale international hotels in the Philippines, and positions it as a benchmark for other properties entering the market.

With “Timeless at 10,” Novotel Manila reaffirms its vision to continue leading the hospitality industry in the Philippines, blending global standards with local relevance to deliver unparalleled experiences for travelers and business partners alike.

With the upward trajectory of inbound travel in the Philippines, plus the positive economic outlook and investment-friendly policies, the demand not just for accommodation that offers comfort has become a top priority of both business and leisure travelers. Needless to say, discriminating travelers believe that comfort is key to where they will stay.

More often than not, business travelers opt to stay in a location where they can move easily from one place to another, whether by foot or where they can easily hail a transport network vehicle service to another location. Most of their time must be utilized efficiently as they have tasks that must be accomplished at a given schedule. While leisure travelers prefer a place where they can sleep, put their shopping goods, and enjoy the sightseeing tours accessible in the area.

To many travelers, the Citadines Benavidez has become a top choice not because of the stylish and comfort it offers, but also because of the accessibility to different restaurants and retail shops which is just 5-minutes walk away from the hotel. It emerges not just as a venue for entertainment and leisure, but also a go-to spot for business engagements.

Having the views and hues of the picturesque and breathtaking Makati skyline, whether day or night while sipping wine, drinking a cold beer, or snipping the aroma of the scalding hot coffee! before you drink, the experience is a heaven on earth!

Citadines Benavidez is positioned to be the epitome of refined living — a vicinity embedded as a beacon of luxury, comfort, and convenience. Being The Ascott Limited’s latest gem in its portfolio, it is seven years in the making which softly opened its doors in September 2023 and hopes to be fully operational in January next year. 

Makati’s Citadines Benavidez seamlessly blends contemporary allure with the practicality required for both corporate and leisure pursuits, making it the ultimate destination for those seeking a perfect balance between work and play.

A haven of advocacy & urban sophistication

Beyond its role as a bastion of indulgence, Citadines Benavidez has been meticulously crafted to elevate your experience.  For this holiday season in December, it is projected to have an occupancy rate of 70 percent. As a proud staunch supporter of sustainability and a pet-friendly hub (₱1,000/night per pet; inclusive of pet bed, balls, and special treats), furthermore, you are expected to embark on an opulent journey of staycation. This serves as a testament of #AscottCares, with pillars of Community, Alliance, Respect, Environment, and Supply chain, truly providing an upscale living with eco-conscious values to their guests.

Their dining restaurant, Catalogue, can accommodate approx. 40 pax which lingers to be a hub for coffee lovers — from a hot coffee for breakfast to alcoholic drink with a coffee liqueur touch during the night. In addition, the guests’ coffee experience goes beyond just savoring a cup; it extends to their commitment to supporting local coffee bean suppliers and businesses alike. 

“It’s part of the coffee experience also when they stay in the property. Similarly, with other  Citadines, in other cities, like for example — Iloilo, we partner with ‘Kape Iloilo’. And for Citadines Cebu, we partner with ‘Tuburan Cafe’ — so, more localized cafes in [the] coffee part,” said Eunice Lodripas, Ascott Director of Communications – Marketing. 

Immerse yourself with premium amenities

For a pristine memorable lifestyle to experience, however, one of the floors you need to take note of is Level 32. Elevate your well-being in a state-of-the-art Fitness Corner, take a refreshing dip in the Swimming Pool, and perfectly blend business with sultriness in the versatile Function Room. For added convenience, the modern Launderette ensures freshness and polished clothes with efficiency throughout your stay.

Having experienced it firsthand with an overnight stay, I can firmly affirm that Citadines Benavidez is an establishment that guarantees not only a delightful experience but also a restful night’s sleep. Along with its ambiance and amenities that harmoniously blend with an environment conducive to relaxation, ensuring that you drift into a serene slumber.

Indeed, this Christmas season is a perfect time for you to include Citadines Benavidez in Makati as part of your “rejuvenation overnight” list, and your stay will surely transcend expectations and leave you with cherished memories. 

For more information, visit https://www.discoverasr.com.