Tune Hotel Davao Strengthens City’s Marketability

The opening of Tune Hotel Davao next month is expected to strengthen the city’s marketability to the domestic and even foreign tourism market, especially for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibits.

“The opening of new hotels especially those affiliated with international chains promotes the city to foreign markets as they have their own database of travelers loyal to their brand,” said city tourism officer Maria Felisa C. Marques.

"This also upgrades our tourism sector to world standards and encourage others to get accredited," she added.

The new hotel is located along J.P. Laurel Avenue, some 15 minutes away from the Davao International Airport and a few minutes away from the SMX Convention Center at SM Premier Davao.

It is expected to beef up accommodation for those who want to be near the convention venue.

Other hotels such as the 204-room Park Inn Hotel by Radisson is located at the SM Premier compound.

“Davao is known for being a tourist and business hub and it is the most developed city in Mindanao where commerce and tourism is continuously growing making it a good location for the hotel,” said Carlo C. Cruz, Director of Sales and Marketing of Tune Hotels Philippines.

Tune Hotel is part of the lifestyle business conglomerate Tune Group that was founded by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Dato Kamarudin Meranun.

The brand, which primarily relies on web-based technologies in engaging to its customers, seeks to innovate and revolutionize hotel services through the offering of unique and affordable packages.

The nine-storey hotel will give Davao’s combined 7,000 room capacity an additional 155 rooms.

Tune Hotel Davao will have the same set of features carried by all the brand’s properties which include a central and convenient location, 5-star quality beds, power shower, clean environment, CCTV surveillance, electronic keycard access for rooms and 24-hour security.

“Our signature 14 square meter rooms are designed for functionality to address the needs of the budget travelers,” he said.

A basic room with a fan will cost the budget traveler P788 plus the applicable government tax and service charge.

Tune Hotel is expected to have a minimal impact when it comes to employment generation since the hotel only maintains 12 to 13 regular employees while relying on a manpower agency for their housekeeping staff.

Tune Hotel has a franchise management agreement with the Red Planet Hotels Limited (RPHL), a regional hotel investment company focused on the emerging markets in Asia including Indonesia, China, Thailand and Japan.

RPHL, which is headquartered in Bangkok, owns all the hotels it operates but managed by Tune Hotels.

Cruz said it has ownership interests in 39 Tune Hotels and has a 16.05 percent ownership in the Tune Hotels company. (PNA/lgi/ASA/LAC/ldp)