Established in 1997 and owned by the E.A. Bartolome Group of Companies, the hotel sits along the National Highway in the General Santos Business District, within walking distance from malls, restaurants, and a driving range. It is accessible to almost all the major support infrastructures in General Santos -- 30 minutes from the airport, and 35 minutes from the fish port.
Its proximity to the business district is one of the main reasons why East Asia Royale attracts many business meetings and conventions. Initially, the Internet connectivity in the hotel is limited to the room phone line, and via the business center line.
'Guests with laptops can connect to the Internet through the room phone line or the business center line. Guests without laptops use the business center computer to check their mail,' said Lorelynn D. Grafilo, senior sales and marketing executive at the East Asia Royale Hotel.
However, some of the guests had problems with the Internet connection in the room. The business center, being the only alternative, was not a viable option for the guests since there was only one computer unit at the business center.
Grafilo said that the management was deliberating on getting a better Internet service provider, when GlobeQUEST came along and offered their Wi-Fi services.
'GlobeQUEST was the service provider who first introduced and offered wireless Internet connection to the hotel. The proposal is very timely since we have clients who either have problems with the Internet connection in the room, or find it inconvenient to use the hotel computer for Internet access,' said Grafilo.
This technology, said Grafilo, makes it possible for the management to offer a new type of service to hotel guests and clients. It has also prevented a queue build-up at the business center for guests who need to check their e-mail.
Local businesses in General Santos, most especially hotels, are supporting the city's goal of becoming a major IT hub by 2010. GenSan hosted the recent Mindanao ICT Congress
Known for being the tuna city of the South, GenSan aims to put up a local information network infrastructure for government, businesses, and libraries. The city is touting economic facilities that allow this city to meet international economic zone benchmarks, such as the fish port, the wharf, and airport.