Accor’s MGallery featured in Panglao Shores

Accor is expanding its MGallery brand in the Philippines with the signing of South Palms Resort Panglao BoholMGallery. This will be the frst MGallery resort-style property in the country joining a strong pipeline of 16 committed projects.

The 188-key South Palms Resort Panglao BoholMGallery is part of the Panglao Shores township project of the Alturas Group of Companies (AGC). It is also a new addition to the 78-room and villas of the existing South Palms Resort Panglao. The new branded resort will be nestled within the 6.4 hectare of expansive grounds with palm trees, facing the powdery-soft sands of Panglao’s South coast.

Currently underway, South Palms Resort Bohol - MGallery, will see its opening in 2024. The resort will have four F&B outlets, swimming pool and pool bar, a well-equipped ftness center, and a spa. MICE facilities will also present compelling opportunities for original, out-of-town corporate and social events.

The resort’s design will weave the timeless tales of family and folklore by reusing materials from village dwellings in every room. These include wooden walls and objects that tell the story of local artisans. This inspiring concept is perfectly aligned with the values of MGallery, Accor’s one-of-akind global collection of hotels where captivating stories are lived and shared.

“South Palms Resort Panglao Bohol - MGallery is an exceptional resort that adds another outstanding destination to our expanding presence in Southeast Asia, joining our fourishing collection of memorable hotels and resorts full of character and charm,” said Maud Bailly, CEO of Softel, Softel Legend, MGallery and Emblems.

Panglao Shores, a 50-hectare land area being developed by AGC, will be seen as a game changer in sustainable tourism in the province. It is a fagship project with the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), under Altura’s subsidiary company, Panglao Bay Premiere Parks & Resorts

Corp. Panglao Shores promises to be a destination on its own with all the components of a mixed-use development. It is just 10 minutes away from the new Panglao International Airport.

Apart from the South Palms Resort Panglao Bohol - MGallery, there will be fve more star-rated hotels in Panglao Shores. The heart of the project will have a town square retail mall and night market, a vibrant hub of shopping, dining, entertainment with live performance areas, garden walkways and courtyards.This will be surrounded by facilities and amenities, commercial and retail spaces, residential units, a convention center, co-working spaces, and a beach club.

“AGC is a family company that was born in Bohol and cares deeply about this destination. By coming together with Accor, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, we are proud to enhance the quality of hospitality on the island by blending world-class facilities and international standards with the genuine local charm and authentic cultural heritage of Bohol which is based on shared community values. In combination with Panglao Shores, our destination-defning lifestyle development, we hope to build a bright future for the people of Panglao,” shared Hope Uy, managing director of Panglao Shores.

In the masterplan, this 25-billion peso project will have 37,000 square meters commercial area, a medical facility, a town square, 6 branded hotels and resorts, all set in the 1 kilometer beachfront. Panglao Shores is about engagement with the community, not just with tourists. 500 residential units are planned in the future. The structures will only allow 4-story buildings. It will also have port facilities for cargo and cruise ships.

According to Bill Burnett of C9 Hotelworks, the major consultant of the project, Panglao Shores will be a generational business meaning it will last for generations, sustainable because energy saving measures are built into the project.

The Uy family are into a lot of businesses. The chairman and patriarch who built AGC has a number of businesses composed of Marcela Farms, Alturas Supermarket Corporation, Island City Mall in Tagbilaran, South Palms Resort Panglao, South Farm, Leonardo Distributors Inc., Bohol Tech Vocational, Inc. and North Zen Villas, Panglao, among others. The company also produces the famous Peanut Kisses, a famous delicacy In Bohol.

The South Farm, a 9-hectare organic land, is committed to sustainability and provide the daily supply requirements of South Palm Resort. It has organic, herbal, and medical gardens; a Fisherman’s Village where shrimp, tilapia, and bangus are cultivated to supply the property and nearby communities; and, the Artist’s village where the Boholano’s artistry and craft making such as clay-making, basket weaving, and coco products like oil, vinegar are showcased.

Panglao Shores development signals the acceleration of tourism in terms of contribution to the economy and creating jobs as well. Uy said that as poverty is a problem in Bohol, South Palms Resort Panglao Bohol - MGallery and Panglao Shores will be contributors to the economy. Many jobs will be generated, and the trickle down efect to nearby provinces is a possibility. (Divine M. Recio)