BIZ BUZZ: Megaworld bets big on tourism
The cloudy economic outlook for the Philippines amid volatility in the Middle East and the overhang from the flood control corruption scandal is not slowing down Megaworld Corp.
Indeed, instead of throttling down, it is going up a gear and aggressively beefing up its hospitality infrastructure, with particular focus on high-growth hubs outside Metro Manila.
Its latest move? The opening of Belmont Hotel Iloilo, the group’s third hotel in its Iloilo Business Park township.
Managed by Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, the 405-room hotel means Megaworld now controls nearly 25 percent of the total hotel room inventory in thriving Iloilo City.
Belmont Hotel Iloilo joins the 149-room Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, and the 326-room Courtyard by Marriott Iloilo, which were consolidated under its hospitality arm.
These two hotel properties flank the Iloilo Convention Center (ICON), and Belmont Hotel Iloilo is just a short stroll away. This setup makes Iloilo Business Park one of the best locations for Mice (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) in Western Visayas.
As further support for the dynamic city, Megaworld has thrown its full support behind the Visit Iloilo campaign, which aims to elevate the city for both domestic and international tourism, and MICE activities.
Iloilo City stands out for many reasons that include being named a Unesco Creative City of Gastronomy and an Asean Clean Tourist City.
With more domestic flights and direct international links to Hong Kong and Singapore opening up, the “City of Love” is ready for prime time.
Megaworld said it planned to replicate its Iloilo “blueprint” in other key hubs. Its hospitality map is set for further expansion with new hotel openings expected within the next two to three years in Palawan, Bacolod City and Pampanga.
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