President Marcos Jr. on Saturday said tourism has exhibited an “impressive recovery” following the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
“We have slowly started to witness how hotels, restaurants, recreational amenities, and tourist spots have slowly but surely risen to the challenge of travel resurgence,” Marcos said at the Solaire Resort North Opening Ceremony in Quezon City on Saturday.
Marcos said inbound tourists more than doubled in 2023 with 5.45 million visitors, from 2.5 million in 2022.
Marcos said the inauguration of the Solaire Resort North will be another game-changer in the global hospitality industry.
He recognized Solaire as a brand that has set the benchmark for luxury, entertainment, comfort, and service while helping generate revenues and jobs.
The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said at least 4,000 people are expected to be employed by Solaire North while revenues generated from Solaire’s ventures will be used to fund operations of government agencies such as the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., Philippine Sports Commission, and Dangerous Drugs Board.
It added that these funds would then be used for the implementation of the Universal Health Care, Early Childhood Care and Development Fund, Integrated Sports Development Program, National Endowment for Culture and Arts, and the establishment and operation of adequate drug rehabilitation centers.
Bloomberry Resorts Corp., operator of Solaire, the newly-opened $1-billion integrated destination resort on a 1.5-hectare land “is the first and only five-star integrated resort serving northern Metro Manila and adjacent provinces.”
Strategically located on EDSA, the company said the new resort is expected to solidify Solaire’s position as a leader in luxury entertainment, while offering an elevated resort experience to clientele in the metropolis’ northern areas.
Solaire Resort North boasts of 530 rooms and suites with “contemporary, state-of-the-art furnishings and exclusive amenities, showcasing panoramic views of the cityscape, Sierra Madre mountains, and Laguna de Bay.”
It also offers 2,600 electronic gaming machines and 160 tables across four casino levels that are “the latest and most advanced in gaming technology.”
The hotel has 14 restaurants and bars, a swimming pool with a designated kid’s waterpark, a Kid’s Club, a wellness area, meetings and events venues, a grand ballroom that can accommodate 1,300 guests in concert-style seating, a boardroom and function areas. Ruelle Castro
