THE Philippines remains to be an important investment destination for hotels due to its booming tourism and robust economy, a top official of the Carlson Rezidor Group- Asia Pacific said.
“The Philippines is one of the fastest-growing countries in Asia Pacific. Logically, it is part of our target countries where we put our investments and time,” said Sandy Russell, vice-president for commercial operations of Carlson Rezidor Group-Asia Pacific.
Potential
She noted that China, Indonesia and the Philippines as their top three countries in Asia Pacific that offer great potential for business.
By the end of 2020, Carlson Rezidor will operate a total of 200 hotels in Asia Pacific.
In the Philippines, the hotel management firm operates in partnership with the SM Group. It manages the Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu and Parkinn Davao by Radisson. By the end of the year, the firm will open another Parkinn Hotel in Clark, Pampanga.
High performer
The group, according to Russell, is in constant talks with potential hotel-development partners in three countries. In the Philippines they aren’t closing their doors to opportunities and also open to other possible partnerships.
Russell noted the Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu is one of their high performing hotels in Asia Pacific, making the country and Cebu attractive to other hotel owners and investors in the region.
“We are so proud of this flagship project here. It has raised the bar and set the tone in putting the brand on the map, specifically in Asia Pacific,” said Russell.
Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu is the first Radisson Blu brand in Asia Pacific.
Russell disclosed the company will introduce another hotel brand called Radisson Red, which will attract the millennial market.
Millennials, often defined as the group born between 1980 and 2000, are becoming increasingly important to travel brands as baby boomers age. The millennial generation is expected to account for nearly 50 percent of business-flight spending by 2020, according to the Boston Consulting Group.
Russell said the group plans to open three to four Radisson Red in Asia Pacific initially in China and Indonesia.
The youth-oriented hotel brand will anchor on modern features and technology to attract the millennial generation.