CEBU-BASED property developer AppleOne Group Inc. is bullish about growth this year given a "bright" outlook for the hospitality and tourism industry in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Mindanao in particular, AppleOne Vice President Samantha Manigsaca said in a statement on Monday, is among the top destinations for domestic and international travelers.

"With the diverse nationalities of our inbound tourist arrivals, the most common drive for them to travel is for leisure, where the adventures come in, relaxing on the white sand beaches, our rich culture and history, and even wellness tourism," she said.

Manigsaca also expressed optimism that the Visayas region would continue to attract tourists, with the province of Cebu at the forefront.

She cited Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), the largest international airline hub outside Metro Manila, for accommodating the growing number of inbound tourists.

The MCIA currently connects to nearly 30 local destinations across the country via eight airlines. It also serves around 17 international carriers that bridge Cebu to multiple foreign destinations.

"For us to meet this increasing demand brought about by the boom of travel and tourism, real estate investments [have] now become a center of attention because we believe that there is still a huge opportunity that Cebu still has to offer," Manigsaca said.

This year, AppleOne is looking to launch The Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan and targets another luxury brand hotel in Cagayan de Oro to expand its presence in Mindanao.

AppleOne, added Manigsaca, will continue to elevate industry standards in residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors by bringing in global brands to promote Visayas and Mindanao.

The firm's investments there were said to have produced around 5,000 direct employment opportunities, which helped boost local tourism and economic growth.

Since its entry into the country's property market, AppleOne has widened its portfolio of residential, hotels and resorts, and commercial developments.

It also has two tertiary health care facilities — one in Cebu and the other in Davao — and a primary hospital in Tacloban.

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