Japanese hotel eyes branch in Davao

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1746637/Davao/Business/Japanese-hotel-eyes-branch-in-Davao
• Thursday, June 7, 2018

By JENNIE P. ARADO

A JAPANESE hotel is looking into the possibility of putting up a branch in Davao City, an official of the Davao City Investment and Promotions Center (DCIPC).

The company operates 4-star hotels in Osaka and Tokyo.

DCIPC head Lemuel Ortonio said hotel executives visited Davao City last May 24 to signify interest in putting up a branch outside Japan for the first time.

Ortonio said the management of the hotel got in touch with the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Mindanao, which in turn connected them to DCIPC.

During their first visit in the city, the general manager of the hotel wanted to get data on international and domestic tourist arrivals in the city.

Representatives of the City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) were present during the meeting and were able to provide what the general manager was looking for. On top of this, they also wanted to know the spending capacity of the Dabawenyos.

“Since this is just their first visit to Davao City, their visit just served as their initial survey of the city,” said Ortonio.

He said Davao City’s rising prominence and good relationship with Japan may have prompted the Japanese hotel to explore the city.

“(If they push through), of course we will have additional hotel facilities especially knowing that it’s a 4-star hotel in Japan. Having this kind of facility with this star rating in the city will help us improve our tourism facilities that we can provide our visitors,” he said.