Manila Bulletin

Travellers reports net income

- By JAMES A. LOYOLA

Travellers Internatio­nal Hotel Group, Inc. (TIHGI), owner and operator of Resorts World Manila (RWM), reported that its profit declined 15.4 percent to R3.4 billion last year from R4.02 billion in 2015 mainly due to unrealized foreign exchange losses.

Based on its annual report filed with the Philippine Stock Exchange, the firm’s audited consolidat­ed net revenues inched up to R25.09 billion from R24.6 billion while EBITDA increased by 4 percent to R6.4 billion from R6.16 billion.

Travellers reported R794.1 billion in unrealized foreign exchange losses on its outstandin­g $300-million bonds due to the weakness of the peso.

Gross gaming revenues for the year ended at R23.6 billion, supported by an improved win rate and stable growth in nonVIP segment.

Revenue from non-gaming activities, which include hotel, F&B, and other sources, contribute­d R3.8 billion during the year increasing by 10 percent.

Growth in non-gaming revenues can be attributed to new opportunit­ies in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conference­s, and Events) through the Marriott Grand Ballroom (MGB) which became fully operationa­l in June, 2015.

Increased revenues were also seen in the entertainm­ent front, specifical­ly with RWM’s theatrical production of Annie.

“We are confident that the diversity of our non-gaming businesses and attractive entertainm­ent offerings set us apart as a tourism destinatio­n,” said Travellers President and CEO Kingson U. Sian.

He added that, “this will enable us to deliver continued growth and stable financial performanc­e in the years to come.”

Total room count for the three hotels (Maxims Hotel, Remington Hotel, and Marriott Hotel Manila) has increased to 1,454 with the addition of 228 premier rooms and suites from the Marriott West Wing which formally opened on 30 November 2016.

“Philippine tourist arrivals have grown steadily in the past seven years with 2016 reaching six million internatio­nal arrivals. Resorts World Manila is ready to accommodat­e the influx of tourists to the country,” assured Sian.

He noted that, “the projected completion of RunWay Manila, the pedestrian link bridge between NAIA Terminal 3 and Newport City, in the second quarter of 2017 will make RWM an even more convenient destinatio­n for leisure and business travelers.”

The opening of the Marriott West Wing completes the Phase 2 expansion. Phase 3, consisting of three hotels, Hilton Manila, Sheraton Manila Hotel, and Maxims II, is well underway.

Sheraton Manila Hotel is targeted for completion by the last quarter of 2017 while Hilton Manila in the first quarter of 2018. Phase 3 will also include additional gaming areas, new retail spaces, and six basement parking decks.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Philippines