CLARK FREEPORT– Officials of the Fontana Leisure Parks here said yesterday they are fully prepared to host some 1,700 delegates to the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit this January.
Manuel Sequiera, Fontana chief executive officer said he has already reserved 131 villas and will close 60 more for the summit which starts Jan. 26.
“The newly built convention center is also ready to accommodate the expected 1,500meetings at the hotel,” he said. Sequeira said preparations cover not only accommodations, but also food, security and entertainment.
At least 1,700 delegates from 22-member countries will meet in this freeport from January 26 to February 10 to tackle economic policies with focus on expanding the benefits for the region’s three billion people.
“We have completed all 19 new villas and we are already in the process of finalizing the three storey villas we call ‘mansion’. Landscaping of gardens, retrofitting and repainting of walls, ceilings and buildings were all finished.
Maybe a few more polishing on some parts but we’re good to go,’’ said Sequiera. He also reported that “our old convention center is there and has been repainted and reorganized; the new one is being finalized and will be ready by APEC.
We will be hosting every day and we expect to serve around 1,700.” Sequiera also said security plans have already been finalized, as he noted that “CCTV cameras have been positioned in the hotel’s entrances and exits and the VIP mansion.” He said “security matters are closely coordinated with the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) and the national organizing committee.”
Fontana recently purchased four brand new cars “to augment its existing 26 vehicles that will be used to transport tourists and delegates who may want to travel to nearby areas and even Metro Manila.” “Staff trainings have likewise been completed early December, he said.
They have been trained to identify languages and deal with their assigned delegates,” Sequiera also said. He also said Fontana “will introduce a new concept in the menu, which will assure fresh and hot dishes served on individual plates or on the buffet table.”
“We will prepare all kinds of foods for the delegates. We hope to serve every country with their local cuisine. We also designed the menu for them. We have a new kitchen designed with three walls.
This will guarantee hot meals served at the function rooms. So, every small detail has been organized,” he reported. Sequiera also said “we will be doing easy at 400 to 500 for breakfast, 700 to 800 at lunch and back to 400 to 500 during dinner.
We will go into the detail to ensure the experience is five-star.” “Apart from the warm and cosy atmosphere at its Coffee, Tea and Juice Bar by the piano lounge, the hotel will also create an evening for entertainment,” he added.
CDC President-CEO Arthur Tugade said the meeting of the economic experts here will showcase Clark not just an ideal hub for pleasure but more importantly for business.
Clark is conducive for business because of its people, policies/processes, its landscape, and more importantly because you can create what they call a supply chain community here – and that is an A1-A1 good for business,” he said.
Other hotels have also braced to absorb the APEC summit population, he noted. Hotels like Oxford, Widus Hotel & Casino, Holiday Inn, Hotel Stotsenburg and Montevista Villas-Mimosa Golf & Country Club, among othershad undertaken expansion efforts and other improvements to ensure a favorable environment for tourists and delegates, he said.
