Hotel groups in race to tap Manila gaming scene
Tourism sector in the Philippines is expected to get boost from supply of quality accommodation
Global hotel brands are helping Manila add a record number of rooms this year, lured by the growth prospects of its emerging gaming scene. That will boost the underperforming Philippine tourism sector, although other infrastructure is needed before it can really take off.
First-timers in the Philippines, Accor Group's Novotel and MGallery, Hilton Worldwide's Conrad and Wyndham Worldwide Corp's Tryp will be contributing to the majority of the 4,612 rooms opening in Manila this year.
That number is more than double the rooms added last year and four times the average increase in the past four years, according to Colliers International Philippines.
Manila was one of the most active locations in the region in new hotel openings, said Romeo Arahan, a research analyst at the real estate services firm.
Attracting tourists is a problem because you have a government that is very ambitious in targets but infrastructure is insufficient to accommodate the targets
Room additions are expected to exceed 3,500 annually in the next two years, mostly in Manila's integrated casino-resorts. The new rooms will help plug the city's chronic shortage of quality accommodation. The imminent entry of Genting Singapore's Crockfords Tower, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts' Savoy and Hotel Okura's flagship brand will also help draw visitors accustomed to luxury travel.