Pangasinan: A five-story hotel by Robinsons Hotels and Resorts will soon rise in this town and is expected to boost tourism, provide jobs, and increase economic activities. Vice Mayor Kevin Roy Macanlalay, in an interview Tuesday, said the town has no tourism sites, but being near such tourism destinations as the municipalities of Manaoag and Lingayen, a hotel would complement the accommodation needs in other localities.

According to Philippines News Agency, the hotel project would further boost the town and nearby areas' gastronomy tourism as the company establishing the hotel vows to also feature the town's one-town-one product (OTOP), the famous Puto Calasiao (mini sticky rice cake), in the hotel's menu. Macanlalay said they also requested the hotel management to employ residents once the hotel becomes operational.

Robinsons Hotels and Resorts Senior Vice President and Business Unit General Manager Barun Jolly, in a separate interview, said the hotel would have an extensive Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) facility, and a pillar-less ballroom that can accommodate up to 400 people. "Multiple meeting rooms, a beautiful pool bar, spa, gym. So, it's going to be an all-inclusive hotel," he said, adding that the 100-room hotel is targeted to be completed in two years.

Jolly said they chose the province for their 32nd hotel in the country because of its history, tourist destinations, and connectivity. "It got a lot of history. The famous shrine of the Our Lady of Rosary of Manaoag, then the delicious food," he said. He also cited the province's leisure destinations, such as the Hundred Islands, as well as the road networks that ease travel time.

"With all of that, you know this is a location where people will come for pilgrimage, people will come for leisure travel, and it's also at the heart of a lot of economic activity. And food is great," he added.