Tune Hotels operator expanding in PH

Red Planet Hotels Ltd. is aggressively expanding its hotel operations in the Philippines, having invested $85 million (about P3.65 billion) in a portfolio of 10 Tune Hotel branches.

Tim Hansing, chief executive officer of Red Planet Hotels, said the Philippines was the “perfect platform” to drive the SouthEast Asian expansion of Tune Hotels because of the country’s wide acceptance of new and inspiring brands.

Add to that is the country’s robust economic growth, which has helped fuel the demand for travel and hotel accommodations, Hansing said at Tuesday’s launch of the sixth Tune Hotel branch, located at Quezon City.

Red Planet Hotels is Tune Hotel’s largest global franchise partner and also holds a 17-percent stake in the Tune Hotels company and a seat on its board.

The first Tune Hotel, located at Angeles City, became operational in February 2012. It was followed by five more branches in Cebu, Ermita, Makati, Cagayan de Oro and Quezon City.

The company is set to open four more hotels under the Tune banner in Davao and Ortigas (November 2013); Aseana City (April 2014); and Ayala Avenue (May 2014). Once all operational, the 10 hotels will have a total 1,724 rooms.

Six more areas in the Philippines are being eyed as potential locations of Tune Hotel.

Hansing noted that prospects in the Philippines were “good” but cited also the need for the government to increase infrastructure spending, especially for airports, to help boost tourist arrivals in the country.

Red Planet Hotels is expanding across Asia, with the target of having 100 branches within the next four years.