PRESIDENT AND CEO
Travellers International Hotel Group
POWER SCORE: 677
POSITION LAST YEAR: 48
CLAIMS TO FAME
- Led Resorts World Manila since its debut as the Philippines’ first integrated resort in 2009
- Long awaited Entertainment City project taking shape in partnership with Hong Kong’s Suncity Group
THE GAMING DROUGHT triggered in Manila by the COVID-19 pandemic saw some momentary relief for Travellers International Hotel Group, operator of Resorts World Manila, after a one-time gain from services rendered to the company’s Westside City integrated resort project in Entertainment City helped it return to profit in 2Q21.
That handy bump came in the face of a 12% quarter-on-quarter decline in 2Q21 revenue to Php4.6 billion (US$91.2 million), including GGR of Php3.4 billion (US$67.4 million).
Business is certainly getting interesting for the company and its ventures. Travellers is heavily involved in the Westside City Resorts World project, which includes a US$1 billion hotel-casino being developed by Suntrust Home Developers. Suntrust counts Hong Kong-listed Suncity Group and Megaworld among its major investors.
Travellers’ existing property is the only one of Manila’s IRs not located in Entertainment City, although it does have the advantage of being located right alongside Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Opened in August 2009, RWM offers a casino, multiple hotels, a shopping mall and theater and has been rapidly upgrading its facilities in recent times, with the new Grand Wing bringing Hilton Manila, Sheraton Manila Hotel and Okura Manila – combined adding an additional 940 rooms.
For the full list of 2021 Asian Gaming Power 50 winners, click here.
