The continued tourism boom in the country has encouraged Alliance Global Group Inc. (AGI) to level up its hospitality expansion beyond 12,000 hotel room keys by 2028.
Although he did not stipulate by exactly how much they would increase their target, AGI president and CEO Kevin Tan on Wednesday said they had planned to launch more “tourism-focused” hotel projects.
“We want to continue to invest in tourism,” Tan said. “We’re looking now to launch more hotel projects to support the government’s thrust for tourism.”
The Department of Tourism wants to see 7.7 million tourist arrivals this year, or 41 percent above last year’s total. As of August, the Philippines has welcomed 3.7 million foreigners.
READ: AGI aims to start $400-M Cebu casino next year
AGI’s new goal means it will have to increase its number of hotel room keys by 5,000 from 7,000 currently, half of which come from Newport World Resorts, its flagship entertainment complex in Pasay City.
Hotel operator Megaworld Hotels and Resorts also opened in Parañaque in July the 1,530-room Grand Westside Hotel, touted to be the country’s largest hotel.
According to Tan, they are constructing eight more hotels with a combined key count of about 4,000.
This comes after the CEO confirmed reports that AGI, through hospitality arm Travelers International Hotel Group Inc. (THGI), will spend $400 million to develop a new casino complex—including a five-star hotel—in Cebu.
Mactan World Resorts will stand within AGI’s 30-hectare Mactan Newtown township in Lapu-Lapu City.
Construction has yet to begin, as THGI still awaits its gaming license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
It is slated for completion in 2026 and will feature a gaming area on two floors, food-and-beverage outlet stores, villas and a beachfront.
Tan said they would also ramp up construction of MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) facilities.
Megaworld in April announced its upcoming Mactan Expo Center right across Mactan World Resorts.