GENTING Group’s second integrated resort in the Philippines, Resorts World (RW) Bayshore along Manila Bay’s Entertainment City, will break ground this year.
Building on the success of RW Manila, which opened four years ago and is currently undergoing massive expansion, RW Bayshore will open in 2018 and initially have three hotels, including an Okura and a Westin; a 3,000-seat Grand Opera House; and possibly a themed area.
It will eventually be bigger than RW Manila, with plans for up to 2,800 hotel keys, more gaming areas, and other facilities on the 31ha site.
Travellers International Hotel Group – the joint venture between Genting and its local partners – which owns and operates RW Manila, reported a 25 per cent surge in its 1H2014 net income on the back of all-time high occupancy rates of about 90 per cent for its three hotels (Marriott, Maxims and Remington).
Meanwhile, RW Manila’s Marriott Hotel Manila will open the Grand Ballroom and additional rooms next year. Hilton Manila, Sheraton Hotel Manila, an extension of the existing Maxims Hotel including a new gaming area, and additional retail spaces will be completed before 2018.
Travel agencies welcome RW Bayshore as another attraction for the city, not only for gaming but also for providing new hotel keys, MICE venues and theatre shows.
Rowie Amodia, corporate, inbound and group tour manager for Far East Travel Agency, said there is demand for RW Manila’s theatre shows and productions as well as packages combining hotel stay, breakfast and theatre tickets.
Loi Cabesas, senior supervisor, Ark Travel Express, noted that foreigners like to book rooms and events in integrated resorts but these are not always possible as there are only two in the country, RW Manila and Solaire Resort and Casino in Entertainment City.
She said having more integrated resorts will broaden the tourism offerings, including more events venue.
