Hotel investment confab set at SMX on August 20

CEBU, Philippines – A hotel investment and development company is taking advantage of the return of investors’ confidence in the country by organizing a hotel and investment conference to help beef up this confidence especially on the country’s tourism industry.

Y&S 1847, together with Food and Hospitality (F&H) Events Specialist Inc. have assembled the leading international and Philippine hotel executives and experts of the hospitality industry to kick-off the 1st Philippine Hotel Investment Conference on August 20 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

“The state of the country’s hospitality industry has been stagnant for quite sometime.  There is a great interest from foreign investors to look into the Philippine market. 

“The Philippine tourism industry is booming.  The timing couldn’t be more perfect. 

“This is our chance to help the country attract more investors and help the industry grow and be competitive against our neighboring countries,” said Patrick Tan, co-founder of F&H.

He told The Freeman that the organizers hope that the event will generate more investments for the tourism industry, which is one of the most important and booming industries in the country. More than 200 attendees and 15 sponsors are expected to participate this “exciting period for the industry.”

The conference is set to explore sustainable business and investment opportunities and discuss key developments in the Philippine hotel industry. Among the high-profile internationally based panelists are: Serena Lim, Vice President, Starwood Hotels; Thomas Monahan, Executive Vice President—International Development, Wyndham Hotel Group; Aiyi Lim, Director of Development, Wyndham Hotel Group; Patrick Basset, Vice President of Operations, Accor; Xerxes Meher Homji, Executive Vice

President and Chief Development Officer, Carlson Hotels Worldwide; Guy Phillips, Vice President Development Asia Pacific, Hilton International Asia Pacific; Simon Pearson, Vice President Marketing and Development, Marco Polo Hotels.

Philippine–based panelists include: Annabelle Wisniewski, President, HSAI - Raintree Partners; Jose Mari del Rosario, Chief Executive Officer, Microtel Hotels & Resorts (Philippines); Al Legaspi, Chief Operating Officer, Ayala Hotels, Inc.; Rey Villar, Executive Vice President, Federal Land; Arthur Gindap, Country General Manager-Philippines, Ascott International.

“We are honored to host a significant representation of hospitality’s movers and shakers and share in their invaluable knowledge and experience for the 1st Philippine Hotel Investment Conference. Their active participation in our conference reflects the tremendous optimism they hold in the immediate future of our Philippine Tourism Era,” Merril Yu, Chief Operating Officer of Y&S 1847 said in a statement.

He said that with the increase of international and domestic tourists, the upward projection is largely expected to continue well over the next years. Consequently, the demand for more facilities and accommodations beckons prospects for immediate investment.

The conference organizers have created a program tailor-fit to address emerging industry trends and offer valuable insight. Delegates to the 1st Philippine Hotel Investment Conference will also be treated to engaging roundtable discussions, sponsor exhibits, private appointments and networking opportunities with the world leaders of the hospitality industry.   

F&H is an international events company that focuses on conventions, conferences, and seminars on anything and everything related to foodservice and hospitality, including restaurants and hotels.  Y&S 1847 on the other hand is a strategic hospitality planning and development company specializing in providing clients with fresh, creative and sound business advice needed to create exceptional, smart and customized concepts from start to finish. Y&S1847 offer value and insight gleaned from over 35 years of international hospitality, hotel and convention experiences in San Francisco, Auckland, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Kota Kinabalu, Las Vegas, Xiamen and Manila with the world’s leading hospitality groups such as SM Hotels & Entertainment, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, The Peninsula Group and MGM Mirage, among others. (THE FREEMAN)