Marriott Hotels & Resorts Philippines reported increased queries and bookings in the country with the reopening of the travel and tourism industry.
Marriott Hotels & Resorts multi-property vice president Bruce Winton said in a business forum the hotel chain remained optimistic on the local accommodation industry that would lead to better opportunities in the coming months.
“That’s where the real optimism is embedded. We are really seeing some major events, booking international events, and we are seeing the reestablishing of MICE [meetings, incentives, conferences, events] foothold,” he said.
Marriott also expects the recovery of leisure and corporate travel as the hotel chain monitors the booking pace in the fourth quarter and the next two quarters in 2023.
“We’re working hard to tap into our 160 million global members of the Marriott Bonvoy program. And the most important thing we can do to contribute to that is to broaden our distribution in the Philippines,” Winton said.
He revealed the company’s plans to open five more hotels in the Philippines in collaboration with local partners that committed to contribute to development costs.
He said Marriot was not only optimistic on the future but was active on efforts to bring more businesses, create more jobs and broaden its distribution in the Philippines.
Marriott expects to more than triple its hotel portfolio in the Philippines by 2023.
“We bring along our brands that are well-known globally, our loyalty program and all of our members and all of our marketing dollars to pump into these new properties and bring new visitors and all visitors to all parts of the Philippines,” Winton said.
The expansion will involve hiring additional 2,000 employees across the chain. The company participated in a job fair organized by the Department of Tourism.
“We’re doing everything we can to rebrand the industry as an employment [and] and a career developer, because it’s always been a huge pillar of the Philippine hospitality economy,” Winton said.
