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tables, and 44 electronic gaming tables. With 18 wellcurated dining outlets around the complex, there’s something for everyone.

To date, Hann Casino Resort is arguably the most signifcant entertainment development in Clark. Its owner, Dae Sik Han, took the bold road by starting a groundbreaking hotel, the Widus Hotel, in 2008, followed by the casino in 2009. The goal was to embody the spirit of an integrated resort (IR) atmosphere in Las Vegas and Macau. And they’ve certainly succeeded - Hann Casino Resort is now the most visited area in the Clark Freeport Zone, with two new hotels - the 372-room Swissotel and the 260-room Marriott (opened 2018).

But that’s not all - Hann Resorts is also expanding to Hann Reserve, a 450-hectare mountain golf property at the New Clark City, Tarlac. This 10-year development plan will be the only PGA-afliated golf

“To date, Hann Casino Resort is arguably the most signifcant entertainment development in Clark. Its owner, Dae Sik Han, took the bold road by starting a groundbreaking hotel, the Widus Hotel, in 2008, followed by the casino in 2009.” resort that carries luxury hotel brands and three championship 18-hole luxury golf courses, each designed by Jack Nicklaus, KJ Choi, and Nick Faldo.

We recently had the opportunity to chat with Dennis Andreaci, the Senior Vice President for Casino Operations, and Tarek Aouini, the Vice President for Hotel Operations, about their roles and the future of Hann Resorts in their hands. It’s clear that they are passionate about delivering unforgettable experiences to their guests and continuing to raise the bar in the leisure and hospitality industry.

Dennis Andreaci of Hann Casino Resort

Andreaci’s journey to becoming a prominent fgure in the casino industry was far from easy but it was certainly flled with adventure. Born in New Jersey, U.S.A, he grew up in a family of casino enthusiasts. Even during his formative years, Andreaci was already familiar with the ins and outs of the industry. In fact, he even recalled his younger siblings spending many hours learning casino games and the mathematics behind them while he was busy pursuing his degree.

It was no surprise that Andreaci ultimately found his calling in the casino industry. His vast knowledge and experience in the feld have led him to become a sought-after consultant, ofering his expertise in various global projects, including government work concerning regulatory compliance for both players and stakeholders.

But Andreaci’s capabilities extend far beyond his involvement in building casinos. He has a passion for creating and building not just establishments, but destinations that people will remember for a lifetime. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of what makes an experience truly unforgettable, Andreaci is dedicated to bringing his vision to life.

Entering New Markets

As the one of frst Americans to enter the Asian casino industry, and the frst non-Macau citizen to work in a casino, Andreaci faced many challenges. But his passion and dedication to building successful casino businesses for investors kept him going, knowing he had the expertise to succeed.

And succeeded he did. His competence is evident in every major casino we’ve heard of in our lifetime, from Atlantic City to Asia. The Sands Macau, Marina Bay Sands, The Venetian Macau, Galaxy Macau, and Solaire all bear his name as a common denominator.

But for Andreaci, building a casino isn’t just about proft. It’s about building lives. He believes that hiring and training thousands of people in the industry is just as important as the fnancial success of a casino. In his career, he hired thousands of people, many of whom are now executives in their own right, from places like the Philippines, Malaysia, and even locals from Macau.

“In the Americas, casinos are frequented by tourists for the experience, in Asia it’s a more serious game of winning,” he revealed. “The good thing about it is when everything is said and done, all these beautiful places will tell you the same thing.”

‘‘At the end of the day, my proudest achievement is not the billions of dollars made, but the fact that I was able to provide opportunities for people from all over the world to succeed and thrive in the casino industry.’’

The Philippine Gaming Scene

In his statement, Andreaci refects on his experience in building successful casino ventures such as Solaire in the Philippines and Hann Resorts. He explains how marketing and building an exceptional guest experience were crucial in overcoming initial challenges and achieving critical mass in these ventures.

Comparing Hann Resorts to Sands in Macau, Andreaci envisions Hann Resorts as the generator of capital for future expansions. He emphasizes the importance of experience and service quality in running a successful casino, even if revenue may not match that of Manila’s Entertainment City due to the latter’s proximity to a larger population.

Confdent in Hann Resorts’ owner, Dae Sik Han, and his leadership vision for the potential growth in Clark, Andreaci believes that development of the property will beneft both the resort and the wider destination. He envisions creating a destination that attracts visitors through its restaurants, entertainment, and games, and highlights the importance of a good airport infrastructure.

The Future of Play

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Han and Andreaci persevered in the development of Hann Casino. Han remained committed to the project even while stuck in Korea, and Andreaci continued working on the project despite being stranded in Ukraine.

During the pandemic, when China shut down their factories, they had to look elsewhere for quality tables, and they found a company in Mexico that delivered the best quality tables that Andreaci had ever seen. Despite the difculties, they managed to have the tables delivered just 10 days before the opening, and visitors to Hann Casino will remember the striking Black Jack tables in the middle that arrived just in time.

Andreaci commended Han’s determination to push through with the development despite the pandemic. While others closed, Hann Casino was the frst to open when the world started to open up.

Andreaci believes that the key to dominating market share is to build the highest quality place, buy the best software systems for the guest experience, hire the best professional people, and stay innovative and smart through the years.

Hann Casino Resort is the result of the passion and dedication of Han and his team, even in the face of unprecedented challenges.

Tarek Aouini of Hann Hotels

Heading the operations at Hann Hotel’s Swissotel and Widus is Tarek Aouini, a seasoned hospitality expert with over 25 years of experience across multiple countries like Dubai, Maldives, Libya, and Bangkok. The Tunisian national is driven by his passion for discovering new destinations, Aouini was drawn to the Philippines, a rapidly growing tourism hotspot that has captured the attention of globetrotters around the world.

“When I joined Widus in 2016, my adaptability and willingness to learn allowed me to discover that the culture is driven by history and economy. The work ethics of the labor force, respect and professionalism should be at the core of the organization to ensure a harmonious working environment,” he declared.

As the VP for Hann Hotels, Aouini currently manages the operations of 16 year-old Widus, 1 year-old Swissotel and the planning of new hotels under the Hann Resorts portfolio. “I have a wider scope of work since more brands are under my supervision which means more people to manage, and goals to achieve.”

The DNA of a hotelier is the same regardless of the brand, and the expectation to deliver premium customer care will always be top of mind. “Each brand has a story to tell. Our goal is to deliver the brand promise that guests will feel, enjoy, and appreciate when they stay in any of our hotels.” he expressed.

One year old Swissotel Clark will see its completion of 92 suites in addition to the 280

Markt room-inventory by Q4. Their signature Purovel Spa will launch in May to delight the hotel guests and lifestyle seekers in Clark. The brand advocates vitality, sustainability, and craftsmanship that resonates with the guests and with their team members whom they call “Heartists”they are artists who serve from the heart.

When asked how he diferentiates a European- style service from our own, he asserted, “Europeans are known for productivity-based service wherein technology is capitalized and maximized to ensure efciency with utmost care. Filipino-style is always personal and as they say, always from the heart.”

The bottom line then is that you bet on people, not on policies and Aouini hopes to carry this inherent Filipino trait to Hann Resorts.

Curating Culinary Adventures

At Swissotel, Aouini shares that “The Atrium functions as a lobby lounge that embodies the laid-back tropical atmosphere of the resort, with palm trees and colorful furnishings adorning the space. It is the perfect spot to catch up with friends over cofee or afternoon tea, while the well-loved dessert bar, Oma’s, is sure to delight both kids and adults alike.”

For a more refreshing experience, the Swisstropic pool bar offers a stunning vantage point to watch the sunset while sipping on creative signature cocktails or icy coolers. The resort’s big draws are the Europeaninspired marketplace all-day dining experience at Markt, complete with plaza-style storefronts and themed stations to host a la carte and buffet options, and the Ristorante Di Verona, which brings the flavors and vitality of Italian cuisine straight to your plate.

In the casino, you will find Spice, a casual dining restaurant that offers Asian Street Food intended for quick and savory bites - noodles, dim sum, dumplings and rice toppings. Exclusive to VIP H Club and H Circle members are Nasi and Kai that delivers authentic Filipino and Korean cuisines respectively. Signature cocktails are served at luxury casino style-bar, Bar 20, renowned for its themed nights and performances.

Bolder Experiences to Look Forward To

Aouini has some exciting plans in store for Hann Resorts, as he revealed their intention to establish a food court and other dining experiences in the upcoming 8th Avenue Lifestyle Mall of the property. However, he acknowledges that the greatest challenge for any large-scale project is sourcing the right human capital.

Innovative and forwardthinking, Aouini has already collaborated with educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and training centers, to guarantee a reliable source of talented individuals once the expansions are operational. This unconventional approach ensures that the company will have access to a pool of skilled workers, ready to provide exceptional service and elevate the guest experience.

As Hann Resorts ushers in a new era of integrated resorts in Clark, Aouini is steadfast in his commitment to excellence. He understands that the key to success lies in cultivating a team of skilled professionals who are highly competent both in functional expertise and leadership.

To achieve this, Aouini emphasizes the importance of quality training that yields quality service. He ensures that every team member is well-equipped to handle any situation that may arise. He takes a rational and realistic approach to ensure that excellent service is consistently delivered.

With Swissotel as its flagship property, Hann Resorts is poised for an even brighter future, anchored by a team of experienced professionals and future leaders molded by Aouini’s vision and dedication.

Hann Philippines, Inc. (formerly Widus Philippines, Inc.) is boldly leading the high-end integrated lifestyle resort sector in the Philippines today, with its pioneer Hann Resorts in Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga that include Swissotel Clark and Clark Marriott hotels; and Hann Reserve, a 450-hectare mixed-use development under Hann Development Corporation in New Clark City, Tarlac with a centerpiece trio of designer golf courses, additional global luxury hospitality brands and exclusive leisure residential dwellings.

CONTACT: corporatemarketing@hannresorts.com hannresorts.com | +6345 306 1000 | @hannresorts