In a briefing on Friday, Jose EB Antonio, Century Properties chairman, president and chief executive officer, said it has a shortlist of locations all over the country where it can build three-, four- or five-star hotels.
"We are in the planning stage... We are in discussions with various parties. This will be consummated within the year and announcements will be done next year," said Antonio, adding that Bicol is one of the places it is looking at.
Century Properties will develop its own brand and have “partnership brands” as it ties up with experienced hotel managers.
For its first two projects, the property developer is eyeing to build a hotel within a city and in an out-of-town location.
"We want a door-to-door experience. Why does Phuket have 16 million tourists and the Philippines have only over four million? It's because they have door-to-door experience. Sa atin, madami pang hop, skip and jump," said Antonio.
While tourism numbers have increased in the last few years, this is still "miniscule" compared to the country's Asean neighbors.
"Where is the opportunity? The opportunity is we have the product. We have the beaches, mountains and the people. We have everything that is needed and required by tourists except they have nowhere to land. We're looking towards the pronouncement of the government that more infrastructure will come into play very soon," said Antonio.
He said Century Properties will participate in the tourism sector in “a very active way” because it is an industry that “trickles down in the last level of society.”
Century Properties is the company behind branded residential developments such as the Azure Urban Resort Residences, which has a beach club designed by hotel heiress Paris Hilton, and Trump Tower Manila, a tie-up with American real estate mogul Donald Trump.
Also among Century Properties' projects are Milano Residences, designed by world-renowned fashion brand Versace; Acqua Livingstone, a tie-up with Italian brand MissoniHome; and Acqua Iguazu yoo, which was inspired by Starck.
Last year, Century Properties marked its foray into the affordable housing market with the development of The Residences at Commonwealth in Quezon City. The company is also building the medical arts and outpatient building Centuria Medical Makati and shopping mall Century City Mall at its integrated mixed-use development along Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City.
source: interaksyon.com
