Aquino to grace Marco Polo Ortigas’ grand opening

MANILA, Philippines – The newest addition Marco Polo’s brand – the first purpose-built, 5-star Marco Polo Ortigas Manila in Pasig City – formally opens Wednesday, July 9, with President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III delivering the keynote address.

Aquino’s presence in the hotel opening is acknowledgement of the hotel management firm’s decision to expand in the Philippines, positively impacting tourism industry in the country.

“President Aquino will deliver the keynote address at the grand launch of Marco Polo Ortigas Manila. Apart from reflecting foreign investors’ trust in our country, establishments such as this are expected to further bolster our tourism industry, which has grown impressively in recent years,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Monday, July 7.

The Philippine tourism industry grew by 10.3% and contributed 6% to the economy in 2012, employing 4.2 million individuals.

In 2013, international tourist arrivals reached 4.68 million, 9.6% higher than the 4.27 million arrivals posted in 2012.

“By the end of this year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) hopes to increase this number to 6.8 million and further solidify our country’s reputation as one of the top tourism destinations in the world,” Lacierda said.

The country got the most number of the Marco Polo hotel brand outside China, adding that the group’s hotels in Hong Kong got a “very strong traditional market” from the Philippines, Marco Polo Hotels president Steve Kleinschmidt previously said.

The group already has a hotel in the provinces of Cebu and Davao.

The P3-billion ($68.96 million*), 45-storey hotel has 316 rooms and suites and is located along Meralco Avenue and Sapphire St. in the Ortigas commercial and business district.

Marco Polo Hotels is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Wharf (Holdings) Ltd., a Hong Kong-listed company that has interests in property and investments in communications and container-terminal operations. – Rappler.com

*($1 = P43.52)