Integrated resort industry drives tourism

MANILA, Philippines - Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. commended the contribution of the integrated resort industry to the sector’s tourism goals as stakeholders recently held an assembly at the newly-opened Marriott Grand Ballroom at the Resorts World Manila (RWM) for the 14th Philippine Travel Exchange.

Member delegates of the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, global experts and officials of the DOT discussed today’s trends in travel and tourism, market updates, tourism management for local government units and digital tourism, among others.

RWM president and CEO Kingson Sian discussed Travellers International Hotel Group, Inc. (TIHG)’s large-scale development projects that would further boost tourist visits in the country. With net revenues in the positive for the first semester of 2015, RWM is gearing up for its expansion developments in its Newport City property in Pasay and a second, larger property in the Entertainment City in Parañaque.

Jimenez saw the importance of such developments in the relatively new integrated resort industry in the country. 

“When you have a program like Resorts World Manila you give visitors more and more reasons to come back to the Philippines or visit it for the first time,” Jimenez said. “This facility, along with the other players in the integrated resort industry, will boost our chances of attracting people tremendously.”

The secretary is likewise confident that given the DOT’s solid momentum with its current campaigns and with the support the sector gets from tourism stakeholders such as RWM, tourism programs will continue on its upward path towards more “dynamic and competitive” tourism offerings.

“I think we are really showing the world that there are always new things to discover in the Philippines,” Jimenez said. “Given that you have tourists who are concerned about going to a place and enjoying several levels of enjoyment, a facility such as RWM is perfect for that. You can do some work, play, relax – very important segments in your daily life all in one area,” he concluded.

RWM is the first one-stop, non-stop entertainment and leisure destination in the Philippines that features recreational thrills, world-class performances, unique events and exciting lifestyle options.

Conveniently located across NAIA Terminal 3, RWM is a gateway to world-class Philippine hospitality and is home to three international hotel brands, a convention center housing the country’s largest hotel ballroom and two more hotels currently under construction.