Philippines casino operator Travellers International Hotel Group has announced a 27.6% decline in gross gaming revenue to Php17.115 billion (US$327.9 million) in 2017, the result directly attributable to the tragic 2 June 2017 attack on Resorts World Manila (RWM) that saw 38 people lose their lives and gaming operations subsequently shut down for 27 days.
The impact of the incident has been ongoing, with the permanent closure of RWM’s entire Level 2 gaming area resulting in 53 fewer mass gaming tables and 14 fewer VIP tables in operation. The loss of tables saw overall table drop fall 32.8% to Php304.5 billion (US$5.8 billion) including a 40.0% decline in VIP roll to Php304.5 billion.
Despite the results, Travellers noted that RWM staged a recovery in the fourth quarter, with gaming revenue up 22% on 3Q17 and visitation climbing from 23,000 to 27,000. It will also launch Phase 3 this year, incorporating three new hotel brands and 12,000 square meters of gaming space over three levels.
“We are pleased to see continuous improvements in our quarterly results and expect to sustain this upward trend, especially with the partial opening of Phase 3 development’s gaming area in the near future,” said Travellers President & CEO Kingson Sian. “This new facility will be called Grand Wing while the original facility will be called Garden Wing.”
“The Grand Wing’s three hotel brands will open in phases beginning mid this year, with all three open by year end.”
Grand Wing will have three international luxury hotels – Hilton Manila, Sheraton Manila Hotel and Hotel Okura Manila – adding approximately 940 rooms.
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