Marriott eyeing local partnership prospects

CEBU, Philippines - Marriott International Inc., is now looking at more opportunities for business and new partnerships with local developers to pursue its active expansion plans in the Philippines.

The Group's head for Residential Development-–Asia Pacific, Alexandra Yao said that the company sees the potential of the Philippines in the hospitality business, which is fueled by its hyper-growing tourism sector.

Following the partnership of Starwood Hotels with a local developer in Cebu to build the first Sheraton Resort and Residences in Southeast Asia, the group is constantly on the lookout for available properties within the tourism destinations in the Philippines, including Cebu, Bohol and potential areas in Mindanao.

Yao's statement also re-affirms the unofficial reports that the Marriott Hotel brand, which is part of the Starwood brand portfolio, is now participating in a bidding deal for a resort property in Mactan Island.

Publicly-listed Marriott International, Inc. has completed its acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. recently, creating the world’s largest and best hotel company.

The merged company bearing the Marriott company name, now offers the most comprehensive portfolio of brands including leading lifestyle brands, a significant global footprint, and leadership in the luxury and select-service tiers as well as the convention and resort segment.

Just recently, Marriott will match member status across Marriott Rewards – which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards – and Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), enabling members to transfer points between the programs for travel and exclusive experiences when they link their accounts.

According to Yao, the Philippines is one of the Group's hotspots in Southeast Asia to have high potential to get the investment and expansion plans of the US-based hospitality giant.

Yao, together with executives from merged Starwood and Marriott International were in Cebu recently to visit the going works of multi-billion pesos Sheraton project in Mactan Island, in partnership with Cebuano-owned AppleOne Properties Inc. (FREEMAN)