MAILBOX: TIHGI not entering cruise line business

Greetings from Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. (TIHGI).

Thank you for entertaining my call, as I have mentioned over the phone, this is in connection with an article in Philippine Star published on July 21 edition entitled “Travellers Int’l eyes cruise line operation in Phl” by Neil Jerome Morales, where it was erroneously reported that Travellers International is “testing the waters for a cruise line operation in the Philippines”.

May we respectfully request to the concerned group to please issue an erratum addressing this matter?

To clarify, Travellers International’s partner Star Cruises has confirmed that two of its ships — SuperStar Gemini and SuperStar Aquarius — will make calls in the Philippines for the very first time. SuperStar Gemini is a special charter by a Chinese travel agent that will be bringing approximately 1,500 cruise passengers, mostly mainland Chinese guests, to Boracay and Manila on Oct. 17 and Oct. 18, 2013, respectively.

SuperStar Aquarius will also be bringing approximately 1,500 cruise passengers from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other parts of Southeast Asia to Manila on Nov. 2 and to Boracay on Nov. 4, 2013, en route to its new home port in Kota Kinabulu, Sabah.

While Resorts World Manila (RWM) and Star Cruises offer joint promotions for RWM members to partake in these special cruises, it is untrue that Travellers International will be entering the cruise line business as reported. The stopovers that the aforementioned ships will be making in the Philippines are nothing more than port calls and by no means indicative of plans to join the cruise line business now or in the future.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.

Sincerely yours,

ARCHIE NICASIO

Public Relations Manager

Resorts World Manila