Okada rebrands Manila Bay Resorts

MANILA, Philippines – Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Inc.  of Japanese casino mogul Kazuo Okada, launched yesterday Okada Manila as the new property name of its world-class integrated resort with the Pagcor Entertainment City which is targeted for opening within the year.

“We will be opening before the end of the year,” Tiger Resort president Steve Wolstenholme said during the project launch yesterday.

 Businessman Antonio Cojuangco, the Filipino partner of Okada, said the Japanese businessman wanted his own hotel brand thus the change in property name from Manila Bay Resorts.

Okada owns Tiger Resort, a member of  Japan-based casino resorts developer Universal Entertainment Corp.

Cojuangco said Okada was upbeat on the tourism prospects in the Philippines with plans to put up more hotels possibly in Palawan and Davao.

Phase one development of the $2.4 billion Okada Manila comprises 993 hotel rooms and a 90,000 square-feet entertainment venue.

Tiger COO Takahiro Usui said the investment could reach $4 billion with the development of the next phases within a five year period.

Okada Manila is the third integrated resort to open within the Entertainment City and will occupy over 44 hectares at the foreshore of Manila Bay. It is located three kilometers away from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Officials expressed optimism the world-class hotel would be able to compete with other similar establishments across the region.

“Okada Manila has the potential to compete with the entertainment and gaming giants from across the region with its best natural resources – its hospitality and warmth. Here, expect an effortless integration of the Japanese Omotenashi – people’s respectful demeanour, passion for creativity and hunger for innovation and the Filpinos’ hard work, hospitality and cheerful spirit, in terms of quality service,” Wolstenholme said.

 Okada Manila consists of two wings – the Pearl and Coral Wing, which have 15 floors each.

In terms of gaming, Okada Manila will have over 500 table games and over 3,000 electronic gaming machines.

There will also be a luxurious and opulent night club entertainment complex, which will have a maximum capacity of 4,500 guests.

 It was granted a license in August 2008 to establish and operate a casino at the Entertainment City with a total investment of $2 billion.