Marriott expands in PH

Marriott International expands its footprints in the Philippines with the introduction of three brands this year - The Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, and Fairfeld by Sheraton.

After the launch of 303key The Westin Manila in Ortigas in early March, coming up in the third quarter are 146-key Fairfeld by Sheraton in Mandaue, Cebu and the rebranding and extensive renovation of Sheridan Beach Resort and Spa in Sabang, Palawan into 250-key Four Points by Sheraton.

Prior to this, the hotel management company has three of its 30 brands planted in six Philippine hotels: Sheraton (in Newport World Resorts, Malate in Manila and its frst resort in Mactan which debuted last September), Marriott (in Newport World Resorts and Clark), and Courtyard by Marriott in Iloilo City.

The expansion has been a long time coming, said Bruce Winton, Marriott International’s multi-property vice president in the Philippines. “These things don’t happen overnight. Marriott has always had a very strong brand presence even though we don’t have a lot of hotels.

“Everybody is familiar with our brands so that makes things easier,” he said, adding that there are further expansion in the pipeline, including a second The Westin in Clark.

He’s also eyeing adding the Autograph Collection, a “softer brand” within the Marriott International portfolio for independently-owned and operated upscale properties.

Winton is also looking at new projects in Boracay as well as in Davao and General Santos City in Mindanao.

(Pinky Forte)

Bruce Winston