3 Japanese firms may operate hotels in MM

Three Japanese companies are looking at operating hotels in Metro Manila, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said yesterday.

Hotel Nikko, a Japan based chain of luxury hotels has sought the assistance of the DOT Office of Tourism Standards and Investment Office and is now in talks with two hotels in Manila. It used to operate Dusit Hotel Nikko in Makati City, which is now the Dusit Thani.

Japan-based multinational firm Orix Corp has also teamed up with Federal Land Inc, the real estate arm of the Metrobank Group for a two-tower high-end condominium project called “The Grand Midori” along Legazpi St. in Makati.

It will cost around P4 billion and will have a total of 622 units upon completion.

Japanese group Aruze, a leading manufacturer of pachinko, slot machines and other gaming products, has also expressed interest to invest $1 billion for a hotel at the Entertainment City in Manila Bay.

“The confidence of these hotels in putting up their businesses in the country is a testament of the strengthening economy and tourism industry. This means that the business community also believes that there is still a lot of room for Philippine tourism to grow,” Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano said.

“The increasing number of hotels in the Philippines, including those managed or operated by Japanese companies is a good indication that our efforts are paying off and that Philippine tourism is on the right track,” he added.

Aside from Japanese companies, other high-end hotels are also rising in Metro Manila’s key destinations, the DOT said.

Shangri-La Asia Ltd. has just broken ground for its $250 million, six-star luxury hotel in Fort Bonifacio, which will be completed in 2012. Federal Land Inc., the real estate arm of businessman George Ty is also building the tallest hotel in The Fort.

In Makati, Ayala Hotels, a subsidiary of Ayala Land, partnered with Kingdom Hotels for a $153-million hotel complex within the Ayala Center.

DOT said that Japanese travelers prefer to travel in groups, thus making it hard for local operators to find accommodations. There is still a gap in the number of high-grade hotel rooms in Manila, compared to other Asian destinations such as Hong Kong and Bangkok.

In 2007, the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) reported that tour operators had to drive away at least half a million guests due to insufficient high grade rooms, leading to a potential revenue loss of $400 million.

Earlier, Durano stressed that for the Philippines to hits its goal of attracting five million guests by the year 2010, much needed infrastructure including rooms and additional air routes should be put in place.