By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD CITY — The largest international hotel in Bacolod, Citadines Bacolod City, officially opened its doors last Friday, marking a significant milestone for the local hospitality industry and economy.
The event was attended by Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, and executives from Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI), including Chairman and CEO Jose Soberano III.
Governor Lacson highlighted the hotel’s alignment with efforts to enhance the infrastructure of the Negros Island region.
“Being the sugarbowl in the country, Negros Occidental is more than just sugar, as it is also known for our rich natural resources, historical sites, and the Negrenses’ hospitality,” Lacson said.
He emphasized that Citadines Bacolod City would offer top-tier accommodation, increase local employment, and boost tourism in the province. “Your investment is a testament to the potential we see in our province,” Lacson added.
Mayor Benitez expressed gratitude to CLI for choosing Bacolod for this significant investment.
“It goes a long way for us especially there are investments coming in – not just millions, but billions. So we are very happy,” he said, assuring CLI that their investment would yield positive returns.
Benitez noted that Citadines Bacolod, with its 200 rooms, addresses a critical shortage in hotel accommodations, especially during the MassKara Festival, a peak tourist season.
The new hotel, managed by The Ascott Ltd., is strategically located along Lacson Avenue, just 30 minutes from Bacolod-Silay Airport and close to major tourist attractions.
The prime location is expected to enhance Bacolod’s appeal as a Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination.
Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez, director of the Department of Tourism (DOT)-6, reported significant tourist arrivals in the previous year and expressed hope that the new hotel would boost these numbers.
“We are looking forward to having this property star accredited and hopeful to be given five stars,” said Cecille Teodoro, cluster general manager of Citadines Bacolod.
Jose Soberano III, CLI’s chairman and CEO, emphasized the broader impact of their investments. “As we build hotels like Citadines, we are not just addressing the need of getting more tourists here, but more of providing to those in need, and providing employment,” he said. Citadines Bacolod is CLI’s first hotel outside Cebu City and their fourth operational hotel.
The P2 billion Citadines Bacolod project is a joint venture between CCLI Premier Hotels and Capitaine Inc. With 80 percent of its staff hailing from Bacolod and Negros Occidental, the hotel is set to uphold The Ascott’s standards, contributing significantly to local employment and professional development.
As Bacolod continues to evolve as a premier destination for both domestic and international tourists, the opening of Citadines Bacolod City signifies a bright future for the region’s tourism and hospitality sectors.