Philippine conglomerate Alliance Global Group Inc (AGI), the parent company of the Newport World Resorts casino complex in Manila, plans to allocate PHP10 billion this year for the ongoing expansion of the property and the development of commercial areas in a separate hotel casino project at Westside City in Entertainment City.
AGI is developing the latter project in partnership with Suntrust Resort Holdings Inc, a subsidiary of the Hong Kong-listed casino investor firm LET Group Holdings Ltd. The venue is scheduled to commence operations in the first quarter of 2025.
In a press release on Thursday, Alliance Global announced that its subsidiary Travellers International Hotel Group Inc, the owner and operator of Newport World Resorts, would use PHP10 billion this year for its ongoing expansion projects, primarily within the Newport World Resorts complex.
Alliance Global added that Travellers International is currently refurbishing the Newport Mansion, which will feature all-suite rooms, garden villas, and bay suites.
Part of Travellers International’s capital expenditure budget will also be used for the development of the commercial area in Westside City, including the construction of the Grand Opera House, theatres, and cinemas, according to Alliance Global.
Newport World Resorts, previously known as Resorts World Manila, opened in 2009 as a joint venture between Alliance Global and Genting Hong Kong Ltd, an operator of casino cruise ships and a subsidiary of the Genting group.
After Genting Hong Kong entered liquidation in January 2022, Resorts World Manila was rebranded as Newport World Resorts in July 2022. In May last year, Alliance Global disclosed its acquisition of Genting Hong Kong’s stake in Newport World Resorts.
Last month, Alliance Global confirmed a leadership change at Newport World Resorts, attributing it to the conclusion of a year-long transition plan following Alliance Global’s full acquisition of the business. Several executives previously linked to Genting Hong Kong left their posts at Newport World Resorts.
In April, Alliance Global reported that Travellers International’s gross gaming revenues rose by 7 percent to a new high of PHP34.2 billion for the full year of 2023. Newport World Resorts currently hosts five international hotel brands: Marriott Manila Hotel, Sheraton Manila Hotel, Hilton Manila, Hotel Okura Manila, and Holiday Inn Express Manila.
Alliance Global’s plan to invest PHP10 billion in its casino resort projects is part of its announcement on planned capital spending for 2024. The group, led by local tycoon Andrew Tan, is allocating PHP75 billion for capital expenditure this year, an increase of 19 percent from the PHP63 billion spent in 2023.
Westside City will be the newest integrated resort casino in Entertainment City. Since NWR offers online gaming to its members, there would be a good chance that online gaming options will also be available for Westside City.