Marcos inaugurates Philippines biggest hotel

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos inaugurated Megaworld’s 1,530-room Grand Westside Hotel in Parañaque City yesterday, touted as the biggest hotel development in the country.

The Grand Westside Hotel is expected to generate 20,000 direct and indirect jobs in the coming years, Marcos said.

“Having developed many hotels and other tourism-related establishments around the country, Megaworld has shown that it is a true partner in national development and a great builder of dreams and sustainable communities in our society,” the President said.

“Indeed, world class experiences are awaiting the guests of this grand hotel,” Marcos said in his speech.

Located in the Entertainment City, the two-tower Grand Westside Hotel is a short drive from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport via the NAIA Expressway, and promises views of the world-famous Manila Bay sunset, as well as the skylines of Makati, Manila and Taguig.

The President thanked the Alliance Global Group, Inc., led by its president and chief executive officer Kevin Tan, for the company’s upcoming developments, including a Grand Opera House, theaters and a gaming complex.

“With all these, we foresee not only the entry of more tourists but also the generation of more jobs, of new businesses and of greater opportunity,” Marcos said.

Alliance Global Group Inc. is the parent company of Megaworld Corp.

“This is particularly noteworthy considering the remarkable growth of the tourism sector, which contributed 8.6 percent to the country’s GDP last year, 2023,” Marcos said.

Among those present at the inauguration of Grand Westside Hotel were Megaworld officials led by Tan, Speaker Martin Romualdez, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman Alejandro Tengco and Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez.

Marcos earlier said the tourism and hospitality industry has made an “impressive” recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hotels, restaurants, recreational amenities and tourist spots have “slowly but surely” risen to the challenge of travel resurgence, welcoming 5.45 million inbound tourists last year from 2.65 million visitors in 2022, the President said.