Genesis Hotels expects 15% growth this year

MANILA, Philippines - Genesis Hotels and Resorts Corp., a hotel and hospitality industry management firm, expects to post a 15-percent growth this year following the acquisition of new management contracts for the soon to open Midas Hotel and Casino in Pasay City, the Misibis Resort in Cagraray Island and the Hotel Venezia in Legazpi City, both in Albay, and the Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan.

In an interview, Genesis co-owner and president Miguel G. Cerqueda, told The STAR that Genesis currently manages around 14 various properties throughout the Philippines and is looking at a possible property in Hainan, China.

Genesis currently manages among others, the luxurious Bellarocca Island Resort and Spa in Marinduque, the Antel Hotel Spa Suites and A. Venue Hotel Suites in Makati, and the Astoria Plaza in Pasig.

However, aside from its hotel management, Genesis also operates an institutional laundry service whose clients include the New World Hotel, Hotel Intercontinental, Crowne Galeria, Holiday Inn Galeria as well as Antel and A. Venue.

Genesis also has a third component involving the telemarketing of hotel privilege cards, and a fourth business which involves the provision of hotel accounting, reservations and operations software.

Cerqueda, who is the well-known former general manager of the historic Manila Hotel, projects another phase of growth for the Philippine tourism industry following the peaceful national elections held this month and as an offshoot of the current political turmoil affecting Thailand.

While it is unfortunate that Thailand is undergoing another political upheaval, Cerqueda pointed out that Thailand has always been a strong rival of the Philippines…managing to attract more tourist from Europe because of its more central location coming from Europe.

But because of the escalating violence in Bangkok, Cerqueda said, even international news network CNN has issued a travel advisory recommending Bellarocca as an alternative destination to Phuket in Thailand.

Cerqueda is hoping that the incoming Tourism Secretary should build on the programs and successes achieved and put in place by current Tourism Secretary Ace Durano.

The Philippines is ready for the upswing in tourism, according to Cerqueda, with the opening of new hotels and resort.

The former Hyatt Hotel property, owned by singer-composer Jose Mari Chan, has been acquired by Misibis Resort owner Zaldy Co, and is set to have a soft opening in July as the Midas Hotel and Casino.