Since it opened in 1961, Insular Hotel Davao maintained its goal of exemplifying excellent service and authentic Filipino hospitality. For six decades, the hotel has become a hub for major events in the metro and generations of guests who stayed have come to consider Insular Hotel as one of Davao’s best-known landmark as it offered a pocket of tranquillity in a rapidly growing city while highlighting the rich cultural heritage of the Davaoeños.
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| Waterfront Insular Hotel opened in 1961 with Islandia Hotel as its original name. |
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| Take a dip. This os one of Davao’s favorite cooling spot. |
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Fast forward to the year 2021, during a time where businesses are faced with the tempting option to close down due to the economic implications caused by the pandemic, Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao remains open not only for the sole purpose of providing unparalleled service to its guests, but to also bring job security and financial stability for its employees.
With Insular Hotel celebrating its 60th founding year, the management, headed by the Gatchalian family, made the generous decision to be of service to more Davaoeños. With this clear-set goal in mind, the hotel applied for a Multi-use Accreditation which allows the establishment to provide a safe accommodation to both non-quarantine and quarantine guests.
On June 30, 2021, Wednesday, Waterfront Davao became more than just a beachfront gateway as it partnered with the City Government of Davao, Davao Tourism Association (DATA), private sector volunteers and other organizations to successfully transform the hotel’s Garden Pavilion as a site for the ‘Bakuna by the Sea’, a special vaccination roll-out which aims to inoculate 7,000 people under the tourism sector.
In attendance on the launching and first day of vaccination were Jennifer Romero, OIC For Hotel Operations of Waterfront Insular Hotel, Ms. Generose Tecson, City Tourism Officer, Tanya Rabat-Tan, Department of Tourism XI Regional Director, Annabelle P. Yumang, Department of Health XI Regional Director, Dr. Ashley Lopez, City Health Officer, Gatchi Gatchalian, Davao Tourism Association President, Cherry Faye Al-ag, Incoming DATA President, Ken Kapulong, Davao MICE Execom co-chair.
Kenneth T. Gatchalian, President of Waterfront Philippines Incorporated expressed his words of support and gratitude towards the Local Government Unit and its partners for enacting this initiative and allowing Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao to give back to the community.
“We believe that the vaccination effort constitutes a critical point to economic recovery and by supporting this endeavour, we ensure that all shall rise from this pandemic,” he said.
The vaccination program aims to pave way for new developments in the easement of restrictions and guidelines which would help the tourism industry and other communities altogether. (PR)
