Ortigas Center, Pasig City
9 July 2014

Great expectations for the country’s tourism industry are up as a new landmark was launched by President Benigno S. Aquino III in the heart of the Ortigas Commercial Business District.

In his keynote address during the grand launching of the new Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, President Aquino remarked that even before his administration took office, they have already identified the country’s massive promise in tourism since the Philippines has the most breathtaking natural gifts in the world. He also hopes to harness the strong tourism potential of the region in the future, particularly in the southern part of the archipelago.

“Our people are renowned for their innate hospitality, and because the jobs that arise from tourism don’t require people to have extensive training or college degrees – all that is needed is willingness to work, a friendly demeanor, and a passion for your country,” he said. He also cited the recent performance of tourism in the Philippines and the number of tourists that has increased drastically over the past four years.

“We surpassed our original target for 2016 five years ahead of time. Now we have chosen to aim higher, setting our new 2016 target at 56.1 million domestic travellers and we remain committed to pursuing our 2016 goal of 10 million international tourists,” President Aquino said.

The Marco Polo Ortigas Manila is acclaimed to be the first sky hotel in the country. It began construction in October 2010 and offers 316 spacious and well-designed rooms and suites for business and recreational use.

The P3-billion five-star hotel is an investment by Xin Tian Ti Development Corp. (XTT) CEO Samuel Po and is managed by the Marco Polo Hotels Group. There is one Marco Polo Hotel in Davao and another in Cebu.

***