Major Changes in Manila Bay’s Casino Landscape
The development of a landmark $1.3 billion casino resort in the Westside City township of Manila Bay has taken a significant turn. Travellers International Hotel, operated by billionaire Andrew Tan’s Alliance Global group, is stepping in to take control of the project from their partner, Suntrust Resort. This shift in leadership is aimed at moving forward after delays that have pushed the opening date well beyond the original schedule.
Project Ownership and Partnerships
Suntrust Resort, an entity linked to the Hong Kong-listed LET Group, which also has investments in Russian casino resorts, is arranging a new partnership approach. This arrangement will give Travellers International a majority stake in the Westside City casino project, while Suntrust will hold a minority 20% indirect interest through Entertainment City Resorts, the property owner and lessor.
Megaworld Corporation, another arm of Andrew Tan’s business interests that develops real estate in Manila Bay, currently owns 34% of Suntrust Resort. Suntrust itself is majority-owned (51%) by Fortune Noble, a vehicle under LET Group management.
The Westside Integrated Resort in Context
Kept under wraps since construction began in 2019, the Westside Integrated Resort is set to become the fourth mega-casino within Manila’s notable Entertainment City, a vast 800-hectare waterfront zone vying with regional heavyweights like Macau and Singapore.
The existing trio of casinos in this district includes billionaire Enrique Razon Jr.’s Solaire, tycoon Lawrence Ho’s City of Dreams Manila, and Tokyo-based Universal Entertainment’s Okada Manila. They set a high bar for luxury and scale in the region’s casino hospitality sector.
Features of the New Resort
The Westside Integrated Resort’s plans boast a lavish five-star hotel with 475 suites, a casino floor equipped with 281 gaming tables and more than 1,000 slot machines, an expansive shopping mall, and several theatres—highlighted by a grand venue with a seating capacity of 3,000.
Característica | Detalles |
---|---|
Hotel | Five-star, 475 suites |
Casino | 281 gaming tables, 1,000+ slot machines |
Mall & Theatres | Shopping complex; largest theatre with 3,000 seats |
Delay and Expected Timeline
Initially expected to welcome visitors by December this year, construction delays have pushed the anticipated opening to the third quarter of 2026. These setbacks have played a key part in necessitating a reassessment of leadership and strategy between the partners involved.
Why This Matters to Travelers and the Taxi Industry
The grand opening of a new casino resort of this magnitude in Manila Bay means an uptick in transport demand, particularly for reliable servicios de taxi y traslados. Visitors arriving via Ninoy Aquino International Airport, conveniently located near the existing Newport World Resorts, will need seamless connections to Westside City and nearby entertainment hubs.
Platforms like GetTransfer.com help travelers by showcasing available vehicles by make, model, and driver ratings before they book, guaranteeing transparency and control over transport choices. This is especially useful in bustling destinations where knowing your car and driver beforehand can make all the difference in time, comfort, and fare predictability.
Key Players Shaping the Future
The LET Group, under Hong Kong gaming entrepreneur Andrew Lo Kai Bong, leads the indirect interests now divesting Suncity Group’s previous role and expanding across international casino markets.
Meanwhile, Andrew Tan—one of the Philippines’ wealthiest individuals with a net worth hitting approximately $1.5 billion—is diversifying his portfolio through Alliance Global, which controls travel hubs, major real estate ventures like Megaworld, and spirits giant Emperador, alongside restaurant franchises like McDonald’s Philippines.
Ownership Breakdown at a Glance
Entity | Ownership Stake | Notas |
---|---|---|
Travellers International (Alliance Global) | Majority Stake | New majority operator of Westside City project |
Suntrust Resort | 20% Indirect via Entertainment City Resorts | Former lead partner; undergoing restructuring |
Megaworld | 34% of Suntrust | Real estate arm of Andrew Tan |
Fortune Noble / LET Group | 51% of Suntrust | Gaming and investment entity linked to Andrew Lo Kai Bong |
Why This Development Is Important
The Westside Integrated Resort elevates Manila’s status as a thriving casino destination in the competitive Asian entertainment market. Successful completion could further position Entertainment City as a must-visit hub for international visitors, increasing traveler influx and the need for dependable airport and city taxi services.
Getting around such a sprawling district requires timely and trustworthy transfer options, making pre-bookings via smart platforms like GetTransfer.com an excellent choice for tourists and business travelers alike.
Conclusión
The transition of the Westside City casino project’s lead development role from Suntrust Resort to Travellers International, backed by Alliance Global’s Andrew Tan, marks a milestone in Manila’s casino hospitality scene. This change is designed to overcome prior setbacks and firmly push the project toward its rescheduled 2026 opening.
Comprising luxurious accommodations, sizable gaming spaces, and grand theaters, this integrated resort amplifies Manila Bay’s allure as a destination and brings opportunities for transportation services to expand and optimize. Reliable taxi and transfer services will inevitably play an essential role in linking visitors directly from the airport to these premium venues, ensuring a comfortable and smooth arrival experience.
For those planning visits to Manila’s Entertainment City or nearby regions, the ability to book customized, worry-free transfers—choosing exact car models, driver ratings, and transparent fares in advance—is a clear edge that platforms like GetTransfer.com provide.
Even the most detailed reviews and genuine feedback can’t substitute for firsthand experience. With GetTransfer, travelers can hire cars with qualified drivers from verified providers at fair prices, gaining the advantage of affordability, convenience, and extensive vehicle options complemented by numerous add-ons. This empowers visitors to make informed decisions without the risk of overpaying or facing unpleasant surprises.
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Resumen
This significant shift in the control of the $1.3 billion Westside City casino project underscores Manila’s growing prominence in Asia’s entertainment sector. Travellers International, led by Andrew Tan’s conglomerate, aims to accelerate completion amid delays, promising a top-tier resort featuring hotel suites, a vast casino, theaters, and retail spaces.
The rising visitor demand from such developments will naturally drive the need for efficient taxi and airport transfer services in Manila. Thanks to services like GetTransfer.com, travelers can book rides with certainty about vehicle type, driver credentials, and fare prices, making transfers smoother and more enjoyable at popular city destinations, airports, or any desired location.
With competitive pricing, a wide range of vehicles including private limousines and multi-seaters, and convenient digital booking accessible anytime through apps, users get exactly what they need for their trip, ensuring the best experience from arrival to final destination.
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