by Jamil Santos, Correspondent, World Executives Digest |
Okada Manila, the latest casino resort and hotel complex to be added in Manila Bay’s Entertainment City, will finally open its doors this February after several months of delay.
In an Inquirer report, Andrea Domingo, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp chair, says the casino hotel complex owned by Japanese gaming tycoon Kazuo Okada will have its full opening on February 17.
The integrated casino resort held its preview event last December 21 with a Christmas concert featuring top Filipino artists Lani Misalucha, Regine Velasquez and Bamboo, as well as a spectacular firework display accompanied by a laser light show. The event was followed by a “soft opening” of a small section of its gaming floor a week later on December 30. Both events were meant to avoid having to pay the regulator a P100-million penalty for missing a year-end opening deadline.
The 44-hectare $22 billion Okada Manila will occupy a total floor area of 34,321 square meters, housing more than 500 table games and 3,000 electronic gaming machines. It will also house a Y-shaped hotel of two wings offering 993 rooms.
The development will showcase a dancing fountain on a par with that of the Dubai Fountain and Las Vegas’ Fountains of Bellagio, Asia’s first nightclub and indoor beach club enclosed in a dome, a world-class 3,000-square meter spa facility, a high-end retail area and several food and beverage outlets.
In terms of quality service, Okada Manila will combine the Japanese people’s respectful demeanor, passion for creativity and hunger for innovation with the Filipinos’ hard work, hospitality and cheerful spirit.
Nomura, a Japan-based financial services group, says it remains cautious about the potential competitive pressures Okada Manila could deliver to City of Dreams Manila, Resorts World Manila and Solaire Resort and Casino.
Steve Wolstenholme, President of Okada Manila, believes in the entertainment resort’s potential to compete with the gaming giants.
Other sources:
http://thestandard.com.ph/business/228069/okada-manila-to-vie-with-asia-s-gaming-giants.html
http://www.yogonet.com/international/2016/12/15/okada-manila-preview-opening-set-for-next-wednesday
