E-City Manila rises

If the objective is to boost tourism and make the Philippines a major player in this competitive sector, there is no reason for the country to dilly-dally on plans that were hatched more than two years ago to transform some 300 hectares of prime property along Manila Bay into a premier entertainment and amusement center.

Even while Macau and Singapore are already forging ahead with their respective but similar plans to capture a sizeable chunk of the tourism and gaming markets of Europe and America, it is not yet too late for the Philippines to play catch-up.

As the astute Pagcor chairman, Efraim Genuino, often says with quiet confidence, the Philippines can easily rival its regional competitors because Filipinos are more hospitable and friendlier and with huge potential to offer much more to tourists.

If the fully-subscribed upcoming international conference and exposition on gaming and entertainment this week (21st to 23rd March) is going to be an indication of the chairman’s self-assurance, then we should expect some really big action within the next few months.

The big players in the gaming industry, not just in the Australia-Asian region but even Las Vegas and Russia, are going to be well-represented in the two-day exposition that starts on March 22 at World Trade Center.

Signs of the times

Global gaming and tourism has never been so bullish. Even in Asia, all indicators clearly point to robust growth — not just from potential tourists from the northern hemisphere, but even from the Chinese who are experiencing double-digit growth in personal fortunes.

Tourism worldwide alone has the potential to grow by 4.5 percent in terms of arrivals, with the Asia Pacific region grabbing top share. Gaming and entertainment, on the other hand, is estimated to grow six percent annually in the next 20 years.

During the last five years, there has been a merging of the tourism and gaming industries that has resulted in healthier earnings — and a new outlook. This explains why Singapore, which formerly frowned on gaming, is now integrating casino operations in its latest tourism blueprint.

Traditional casino operators from Las Vegas to date rely on more than 75 percent of their income from entertainment- and tourism-related investments; this formula is being successfully introduced in Macau. No wonder then that the former monopoly of Stanley Ho in the former Portuguese protectorate is being whittled down by such American hotel-casino complexes as Sands, Wynn’s and MGM Mirage.

Manila’s bid

Recognizing the synergies created by a strong combination of tourism, entertainment and gaming, Pagcor is actively involved in soliciting offers from potential foreign investors and locators in the planned P15-billion development complex on the 300-hectare Manila Bay property.

Initially, the proposed tourism investment zone will dwell on a tropical resort setting. It will be marketed as E-City Manila (E for Entertainment), and will be positioned as the hub of gaming, entertainment and tourism in Asia.

Chairman Genuino, I understand, had been in exploratory talks with several possible business interests as early as 2005. Genuino is confident that the impasse created by the issue of Pagcor’s expiring franchise is finally out of the way and that discussions are moving forward on firmer ground.

There should also be some substantial agreements during the 2nd meeting of the Euro-Asian Cooperation on Gaming on March 21 at the New Hyatt in Manila which would be attended by prominent gaming complex owners, operators and gaming suppliers based and/or operating in Asia and Europe.

Forging alliances

Prior to the expo at the World Trade Center, the whole-day gaming and investment conference on March 21 at the New Hyatt in Manila would be featuring global gaming personalities.

Dr. Ambrose So of Shun Tak Holdings and Sociedad de Jogos de Macau, SA will talk about the evolution of gaming in Asia. Andrew Love, chairman and CEO of The Ritz London, and Paul Beottcher, chairman and CEO of Storm International (Russia), will both tackle the current state of the European gaming industry.

Dr. Henk Kivits, chairman of the board and CEO of Holland Casino, will elaborate on their various socially relevant programs aimed at curbing compulsive gambling.

Sebastian Salat, vice president and managing director of International WMS, will discuss the evolution of gaming machines. And finally, the legendary Steve Wynn, chairman of the board and CEO of Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas and Macau will provide some insights on building strategic alliances between the East and the West.

Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile has also been invited to give his insights on the state of Philippine gaming and tourism.

Other noteworthy parallel activities during the expo are a two-day card dealing competition open to casino employees worldwide, and a celebrity charity Texas Hold’em poker tournament. Both are open to the public. Additional details about Asia’s gaming expo in Manila are available on www.asiangemphil.com.

Tagaytay City hosts poker satellite

Qualifying/satellite tournaments for the 3rd Philippine Poker Tour (PPT) Million-Peso Hold’em Philippine Championship continue as Casino Filipino Tagaytay plays host on Saturday, 24th March 2007. Registration starts at 12 noon. Satellite tournaments winners are awarded guaranteed seats to the grand finals to be held on 7th and 8th July 2007.

The 3rd PPT Million-Peso Hold’em Championship, a joint project of Philippine Poker Tour (PPT) and Pagcor, is the biggest non-wager poker skills tournament aimed at searching for local poker talents and bringing local poker competitions to world class level.

Qualifying/satellite tournaments are conducted at various sites nationwide such as San Mig Alabang Town Center (every Wednesday and Friday), Elbow Room at Metro-Walk (every Thursday), Airport Casino Parañaque (31st March), CF Cebu Lahug, CF Bacolod. CF Davao and CF Angeles.

Details of prize structure and tournament rules for the 3rd PPT Million-Peso Hold’em Championship are posted in the official PPT website, www.PhilippinePokerTour.com. Interested parties may also call the PPT secretariat (c/o Cindy) at 817-9092 or 812-0153.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 4th Floor, 156 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected] or at [email protected]. For previous columns, visit my website at http://bizlinks.linkedge.biz.