THE Philippines will welcome a third Marco Polo property, the 316-room Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, in the first quarter of 2014.
The property located at the city’s eponymous commercial business hub, minutes away from Makati, will be positioned as a five-star business hotel catering to discerning business and leisure guests, according to Juanita Lo, spokesperson of Marco Polo Hotels’ head office in Hong Kong.
Apart from the flagship Hong Kong hotel, Marco Polo Hotels also operates several hotels in China and a hotel each in Cebu and Davao in the Philippines.
When asked about the group’s expansion plans in the Philippines, Lo said it is employing “a broad strategy comprising of developing new properties, acquisition through management contracts, joint ventures with local partners”.
She added that as the Philippines’ hospitality industry grows, the key challenge is the high turnover in human resources. Marco Polo addresses this by offering training and certificate programmes for the growth and development of its employees.
“Proper training and growth opportunities must be implemented to retain experienced and skilled employees,” she said.
Marco Polo Ortigas Manila will have Continental Club floors, extensive meeting facilities, all-day restaurants, lobby lounge Sky Bar, indoor swimming pool, health club and spa facilities.
