THE Philippines will be on the receiving end of new Marriott hotels in the coming years as the hotel operator seeks to leverage the country’s potential as a business and resort destination.
Speaking to TTG Asia e-Daily, Paul Foskey, executive vice president, hotel development in Asia-Pacific, Marriott International, said the group aims to launch new hotels and perhaps, new brands, here in the next five to 10 years.
“Unlike Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, there is still a noticeable absence of international upscale hotels in the Philippines. Even when we look at Manila, there are only a couple in the same category as Courtyard,” he said.
To open next year, 300-key urban hotel Courtyard by Marriott at the Iloilo Business Park near the upcoming Iloilo Convention Centre will target the MICE segment and balikbayans,or returning overseas Filipinos.
Marriott will open a JW Marriott in Puerto Princesa Palawan in 2017 with 200 rooms and 20 villas, six bars and restaurants, a 350-seat ballroom, several meeting rooms, and a full spa with eight suites.
Foskey said the two hotels will complement the group’s Marriott hotels in Cebu and Manila. The Marriott Hotel Manila will complete construction of the 5,000-pax Marriott Grand Ballroom and a new wing with 228 all-suite rooms by year-end.
“We are looking to opening more Courtyard properties in the Philippines. And yes, we are aiming not only for secondary cities like Baguio, but also primary cities like Metro Manila and Cebu, and we believe that the possibility of opening a new Courtyard after Iloilo will not be far off,” said Foskey.
